Berlusconi Drags Merkel Into Italy Race in Monti Meeting

The last time Silvio Berlusconi was in Brussels with European leaders, he became the butt of an inside joke between then French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Now, out of office for 13 months and spoiling for a return, Berlusconi showed up today at a pre-summit meeting of leaders of European conservative parties that included his successor, Mario Monti, and Merkel. The encounter resulted in backing for Monti and warnings that Italy should stick to his economic prescription.