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.

Monti earlier said his government had rendered the country “more trustworthy”. He cited structural reforms, such as measures to improve competition and liberalise services, as well as an anti-corruption law.