Monti resigns as interim PM

Prime minister Mario Monti has handed in his resignation to Italy’s president, bringing to a close his 13-month technical government and preparing the country for national elections.

President Giorgio Napolitano accepted the resignation but asked Monti to stay on as head of a caretaker government until the vote, expected in February.

Monti kept his pledge to step down as soon as parliament gives final passage to the budget law.