Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi announced his resignation today after losing a key parliamentary battle.
Berlusconi, the narrow loser in the April 9-10 general election, said he would hold his last cabinet meeting on Tuesday at 12:30 pm (1030 GMT) and immediately afterwards hand in his resignation to President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi.
Ciampi, whose presidential term expires on May 18, must decide whether formally to ask Prodi to form the new government or whether he will leave the duty to his successor as head of state.
Sad to see Berlusconi go. He was extremely entertaining. Also a darned good friend to the US.
