Posted on 04/18/2005 8:42:43 AM PDT by areafiftyone
ROME - Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi will resign and form a new government to strengthen his struggling conservative coalition, the foreign minister said Monday.
The move will end Italy's longest-serving postwar government.
Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini made the announcement in a statement after a meeting of coalition leaders in Rome.
Misleading title.
Please Change: Italy's Berlusconi Resigns; to form new Government.
When will the press no longer use the term "postwar"? I think reporters enjoy using that word. Postwar is now 60 years ago.
I'd wager that many, if not most, folks in America do not know which war it refers to.
Does Italy have a Constitution? How can someone just form a new government? Why resign first? This is very complicated.
Agreed. Mussolini was hung up by ankles a long time ago.
Parliamentary resignations are sometimes a sign of strength. If the party in power is polling much better than they did in the previous election, it's in their interest to call an election and solidify.
Imagine if George Bush Sr. could have called an election in April 1991.
If he loses it'll be a front page story on the NY Times and the Wash Post. If he wins it'll be buried somewhere in the style section.
If it's anything like Britain, and I think it is, the party in power has a set number of years before elections MUST be called, but within that period, the party in power can call the election at any time. They will thus try to call the election when they feel strongest, while also trying to maximize time in office since the previous election.
It IS complicated.
Also, see my #7.
Hasn't Blair called for early elections in Britain?
Italy news ping!
Some time in May, I think.
We're having an election on May 5th. It's already been called.
Regards, Ivan
Thanks much. (And so quick to respond!)
I think I saw the other day that polls show that he might lose some ground but he's in no danger of losing.
And he delayed calling its announcement due to the pope...?
Ah but AP put their favorite part of the article as their headline. They must be ecstatic like the DUers over this news!
Can anyone give a brief recitation of the expected challengers and, because I'm so self-centered, their views towards the US?
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