Berlusconi Could Be Out Tomorrow Night

Musicians perform chorus of Handel's 'Alleluia'

(AP) - Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi resigned today after parliament's lower chamber passed European-demanded reforms, ending a 17-year political era and setting in motion a transition aimed at bringing the country back from the brink of economic crisis. A chorus of Handel's "Alleluia," performed by a few dozen singers and classical musicians, rang out in front of the president's palace as thousands of Italians poured into downtown Rome to rejoice at the end of Berlusconi's scandal-marred reign . More»

From strip joints to Italian cabinet to Strasbourg

(NEWSER) - A bevy of beauties with no previous political experience have been tapped by randy Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi to represent Italy in European Parliament elections, reports the Times of London. But first, they're undergoing a crash course in politics and current affairs. Berlusconi, 72, has surrounded himself with models, stars and strippers, including one he made a cabinet minister, and has been photographed dandling them on his knee. It's not an activity popular with his wife. More»

(NEWSER) - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has appalled the world with his crass remarks, yet somehow remains popular at home. "Is there a logic to what might seem like a strange form of Tourette's syndrome?" asks Alexander Stille, analyzing the gaffe-prone pol in The New Republic. The answer to Berlusconi's success seems to be simple enough, Stille concludes: It's Italy itself. More»

Iron support for US still rankles

(NEWSER) - Stiff opposition is mounting against the possibility of former British prime minister Tony Blair being named the first president of Europe. A "Stop Blair" website has been launched, and a cross-party caucus in the European parliament is forming to campaign against him. A new treaty about to be ratified creates the new position, although precisely what the job would entail remains unclear. Opposition to a Blair presidency is particularly fierce in Germany, reports the Guardian. More»

She wanted to cheer up Italy's embattled former leader

(NEWSER) - This could make for an awkward diplomatic conversation down the road: One young woman says she dressed up as a burlesque version of Barack Obama to entertain former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. Reuters reports that the racy routine took place at one of Berlusconi's "bunga bunga" parties—the same type of event that occurred in 2010 when Berlusconi allegedly paid for sex with an underage prostitute. More»