Berlusconi resigns as Italian PM

[muriel_volestrangler]

Silvio Berlusconi has formally resigned as prime minister of Italy, thus paving the way for Romano Prodi to form a new government of the centre-left.

The centre-right leader, who was narrowly defeated at last month's election, handed in his notice to President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi.

However, Mr Ciampi has asked him to stay on as caretaker prime minister.
...
But he is under growing political pressure to appoint Mr Prodi this week.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4963882.stm

At last - now bring on the criminal charges ...

[Judi Lynn]

1. It seemed he'd never leave.

I hope _Bush will be as "gracious."

[IndyOp]

2. At last - now bring on the criminal charges ...

Do they actually DO that in Italy? Send criminals to prison even if they are ex-government officials?

:wow:

Imagine that, jail for people who break the law -> :think:

[joefree1]

10. A nation of laws?

Wow, I could get behind that.

[marmar]

3. Finally...

I think there's a police car waiting for him....

[rocktivity]

4. What do you mean, resigned? HE LOST AN ELECTION!

GET OVER IT, AND PULL HIS BROADCAST LICENSES!

:bounce:
rocknation

[Tesha]

12. (It's just the way it's done there.)

You lose the election (or a confidence vote)
and your government resigns.

NBD.

Tesha

[UTUSN]

5. S'long, scuzzball! 2 to go and counting n/t

[rpannier]

6. The way he was going...

I thought Berlusconi was gonna suggest making the PM's house a time-share.

[alcibiades_mystery]

7. When you lose an election, you CONCEDE

You do not "resign."

What a bagiagaloop, as the Sicilians might say...

[quiet.american]

8. Hello! But whichever way, good riddance to bad rubbish. n/t

[Odin2005]

11. He has to formally offer his resignation to the president...

...so the office is open for Prodi. It's just a constitutional formality, like how Congress must formally count up the votes of the electors even though the EC numbers are already known.

[stepnw1f]

9. I Hope They Bring the Douchebag Down in Court

People like him are a threat to Democracy, just like our fascist GOP.