Silvio Berlusconi resigned on Saturday as Italy’s prime minister after Italian MPs voted for an austerity package, aimed to reverse an economic crisis in the country.
Berlusconi, 75, Italy's longest-serving prime minister after the World War II and the third-richest man in the country, said earlier this week he would resign after the government finally approves a new law that includes among others, labor reform proposals, aimed at increasing employment among women and young people, and a sell-off of state-owned assets and agricultural land.
The lower house of the Italian parliament passed on Saturday the law with 380 votes in favor and 26 agains.
Berlusconi arrived at the Quirinal Palace in central Rome half an hour later than scheduled, at 21:00 local time, to hand in his resignation to President Giorgio Napolitano, bringing to an end his 17-year political career, sharply criticized for corruption allegations and numerous sex scandals.
According to the wide media speculation about Berlusconi’s successor, the most probable candidate for the top Italian post is the former European Commissioner, Mario Monti.
ROME, November 13 (RIA Novosti)
