Berlusconi lashes out at Monti

Former premier Silvio Berlusconi sharply criticised the decision by Mario Monti to run in Italy’s general elections and vowed to launch a parliamentary inquiry into the 2011 fall of his government and appointment of Monti as Italy’s premier.

Mr Berlusconi spoke out after Mr Monti ended weeks of hedging and announced he would head a coalition of centrist forces, businessmen and pro-Vatican forces running for office in February 24-25 elections.