Berlusconi: I Probably Won't Seek New Term

Looks like the latest scandal was finally enough to do Silvio Berlusconi in: The Italian prime minister acknowledged that he will probably not hold public office after his term ends in 2013. "If I'm needed as the noble father for the elections, I'll do it. I could be the name at the top of my party list, but I don't want an operative role," Berlusconi told the press last night, naming Justice Minister Angelino Alfano as a possible replacement in future elections. The prime minister also said he had considered resigning recently over his "personal" ties to Moammar Gadhafi.

The Wall Street Journal notes that the statement will come as a shocker to Italians who have watched Berlusconi weather myriad scandals and even criminal trials during his 17 years in politics. Click for more Berlusconi. (More Silvio Berlusconi stories.)