Monti Plans to Resign as Berlusconi Seeks Return to Power
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Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti told the head of state he has lost support in Parliament and intends to resign, while earlier in the day his predecessor, Silvio Berlusconi announced plans for a return to power.
Monti will try to corral his coalition, which includes Berlusconi’s People of Liberty Party, for a vote to pass the budget before handing in his “irrevocable resignation” and leaving his post, President Giorgio Napolitano’s office said in an e-mailed statement late yesterday. Monti, 69, will quit immediately if his allies won’t comply, the premier’s spokeswoman, Elisabetta Olivi, said in a telephone interview.