Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
Newser - Current News - Breaking Stories

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Italian PM Prodi Resigns

Posted Jan 24, 08 3:27 PM CST in World 

(Newser) – The fat lady has sung for Italian PM Romano Prodi. After losing a confidence vote in the Senate, Prodi resigned today, the BBC reports. President Giorgio Napolitano now has to make the decision of calling a snap election or appointing a caretaker government. Former PM Berlusconi's center-right coalition would be likely to win an upcoming election, say experts.

Before the vote, Prodi pleaded for the Senate not to create a "political vacuum" by defeating his government. "Stopping the government's work is a luxury Italy cannot afford," said Prodi. Meanwhile, most leaders agree that a major reform of Italy's electoral system is needed, as the current one grants too much power to relatively tiny parties.
Source: BBC

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Berlusconi Under Fire for Obama 'Suntanned' Joke

    Nov 6, 08 5:30 PM CST
    Berlusconi Under Fire for Obama 'Suntanned' Joke Silvio Berlusconi is in a bit of a pickle after calling Barack Obama “handsome, young, and suntanned,” the London Times reports. Political opponents in Italy called on the gaffe-prone prime minister to apologize. “To say that the US president is young, good looking, and suntanned will sound offensive to many, and charged with dangerous ambiguity,” said one. More »

  • Berlusconi Breaks Podium at Rowdy White House Soiree

    Oct 14, 08 10:15 CDT
    Berlusconi Breaks Podium at Rowdy White House Soiree Affairs don't get much more formal than a White House official dinner, but last night's reception in honor of Silvio Berlusconi had all the seriousness of a frat party. The Italian prime minister was so excited to toast President Bush that he knocked into the lectern, which collapsed in pieces. His response? He picked up the top of the podium and kept speaking into the attached microphones.
    More »

  • Italy's National Airline Could Shut Down Within Week

    Sep 22, 08 2:19 PM CDT
    Italy's National Airline Could Shut Down Within Week Italy’s aviation authority is poised to ground Alitalia permanently if the bankrupt national carrier doesn’t present a credible reorganization plan by Thursday, ANSA reports. The airline is laden with debt and flying under a provisional license, one the aviation authority will revoke if it doesn’t get an acceptable proposal.
    More »

  • Italians Impatient With Alitalia Rescue Efforts

    Jul 4, 08 5:33 PM CDT
    Italians Impatient With Alitalia Rescue Efforts Fed up with government efforts to resuscitate Alitalia, many Italians think Rome needs to face reality and let the airline die, Bloomberg reports. PM Silvio Berluconi characterizes Alitalia’s survival as “a matter of national security,” but it hasn't turned a profit in nearly a decade. The latest plan for Alitalia is a restructuring scheme by Intesa Sanpaolo, Italy’s second-largest bank. More »

  • Italy Calls In Shrinks for Garbage Crisis

    Jul 3, 08 8:50 PM CDT
    Italy Calls In Shrinks for Garbage Crisis Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has a “final solution" to Naples' trash problem—and it includes psychologists, Der Spiegel reports. Naples, whose overflowing landfills have led to intermittently trash-choked streets for years, will soon be invaded by an army of volunteers, including a group of psychologists trained in counseling disaster survivors. Berlusconi has also pledged to clean up the garbage. More »

People on a truck, holding Italian Fiamma Tricolore right-wing party flags, celebrate downtown Rome, after a confidence vote in the Senate, in Rome, Thursday Jan. 24, 2008. Embattled Premier Prodi lost...   (Associated Press)
Italian opposition senators celebrate with champagne after a confidence vote in the Senate, in Rome, Thursday Jan. 24, 2008. Embattled Premier Prodi lost a Senate confidence vote Thursday night which...   (Associated Press)
Italian premier Romano Prodi looks on, prior to a confidence vote in the Senate, in Rome, Thursday Jan. 24, 2008. Embattled premier Prodi appealed to the Senate to back his government Thursday, in an...   (Associated Press)
Italian premier Romano Prodi gestures, prior to a confidence vote in the Senate, in Rome, Thursday Jan. 24, 2008. Embattled premier Prodi appealed to the Senate to back his government Thursday, in an...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Related Threads

(1 of 1)

Tags

Italy • Silvio Berlusconi • Romano Prodi


Loading...

Today's Most Popular

[ Stories ]

Threads

Loading...

Other World Stories