Berlusconi resigns during meeting with president

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, who refused for weeks to concede electoral defeat, today handed in his resignation to the president, paving the way for a centre-left government led by Romano Prodi.

During the 30-minute meeting at the Quirinale Palace, President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi asked Berlusconi to remain on as caretaker prime minister, the president’s office said in a statement.

“The president of the republic, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, has met this morning with Premier Silvio Berlusconi, who has handed in the resignation of the Cabinet over which he presides,” the statement said.

Berlusconi, who had previously presided over a brief cabinet meeting during which he announced his intention to resign, made no comments to reporters as he left Ciampi’s office.

Berlusconi, leader of the conservatives elected in 2001, has been the longest-serving premier in post-war Italy.

He had steadily refused to concede defeat since the April 9 and 10 elections.

“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.”