Berlusconi pledges to resign after reforms

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi has promised to resign after parliament passes economic reforms, Italy’s president said tonight.

The reforms are demanded by the European Union to save Italy from getting engulfed further in Europe’s debt crisis.

The move caps a two-decade political career that has ended with Italy on the brink of being swept into the debt crisis.

Italian President Giorgio Napolitano met for about an hour with Mr Berlusconi after the premier lost his parliamentary majority during a routine vote earlier today.

In a statement, Mr Napolitano’s office said Mr Berlusconi had promised during the meeting to resign once the economic reforms have passed parliament.

A vote on the measures is planned for next week.