Berlusconi arrives at cabinet, expected to resign

Premier Silvio Berlusconi arrived at a cabinet meeting today where he is expected to announce his intention to resign, clearing the way for a new Italian government led by Romano Prodi.

Berlusconi arrived at the premier’s office after attending a state funeral for three Italians killed in Iraq last week. After the meeting, he is expected to travel to the president’s palace to hand in his resignation.

Berlusconi, leader of the conservatives, is then expected to be asked to stay on as caretaker prime minister. The media mogul, who was elected to power in 2001, has been the longest-serving premier in post-war Italy.

“Democracy goes on, sometimes slowly, but it does,” said Prodi, welcoming the move. “It is a very important step.”

“I hope the political vacuum doesn’t go on for too long,” he added. Prodi also said he hoped he would be able to “exchange all information and advice necessary in such cases” with Berlusconi, who refused to concede defeat for weeks after the April 9 and 10 vote.

It was not clear if President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi would immediately give Prodi, whose centre-left coalition scored a narrow victory over Berlusconi and his conservative allies at the elections, the mandate to form a government.

It is up to the president to issue the mandate but Ciampi, whose term expires on May 18, had indicated he wanted the next president to assume that duty. However, there has been widespread speculation that Ciampi might change his mind to put an end to the political limbo.

Prodi said he was still working on his cabinet line-up, which has already provoked some grumbling in his coalition.

“My aim is to be ready, but I have no date to suggest to President Ciampi,” Prodi said.

“If he gives me the mandate soon, I have to have the (cabinet) list in my pocket. If, instead, the mandate is given me a few days later, I’ll keep it (in my pocket) a few more days,” he said.

Ciampi stressed the need for Italy, including its politicians, to get down to business quickly to revive the country’s zero-growth economy. He said political tensions must ease if the nation is to work together on that goal.

Berlusconi had vowed to fight the election results through legal challenges.

He also has pledged to lead fierce political opposition in the legislature.