End of an era: Italy's Berlusconi resigns

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi resigned Saturday after parliaments lower chamber passed European-demanded reforms, ending a 17-year political era and setting in motion a transition aimed at bringing the country back from the brink of economic crisis.A chorus of Handels Alleluia, performed by a few dozen singers and classical musicians, rang out in front of the presidents palace as thousands of Italians poured into downtown Rome to rejoice at the end of Berlusconis scandal-marred reign.Hecklers shouted Buffoon, Buffoon as Berlusconis motorcade entered and exited the presidential palace, where he tendered his resignation to President Giorgio Napolitano, the palace said in a statement.Respected former European commissioner Mario Monti remained the top choice to try to steer the country out of its debt woes as the head of a transitional government, but Berlusconis allies remained split over whether to support him.Their opposition wasnt expected to scuttle Napolitanos plans to ask Monti to try to form an interim government once Berlusconi resigns, but it could make Montis job more difficult.Napolitano is expected to hold consultations Sunday with all of Italys political forces before proceeding with his expected nomination of Monti. Late Saturday, Berlusconis party said it would support Monti, albeit with conditions.Berlusconis resignation was set in motion after the Chamber of Deputies, with a vote Saturday of 380-26 with two abstentions, approved economic reforms which include increasing the retirement age starting in 2026 but do nothing to open up Italys inflexible labor market.The Senate approved it a day earlier and Napolitano signed the legislation Saturday afternoon, paving the way for Berlusconi to leave office as he promised to do after losing his parliamentary majority earlier in the week. He chaired his final Cabinet meeting Saturday evening.Berlusconi stood as lawmakers applauded him in the parliament chamber immediately after the vote. But outside his office and in front of government palazzos across town, hundreds of curiosity-seekers massing to witness the final hours of his government heckled him and his ministers.Shame and Get Out the crowds yelled, many toting Bye Bye Silvio Party posters as they marched through downtown Rome in a festive indication that for many Italians, like financial markets, the time had come for Berlusconi to go.Berlusconi supporters were also out in force, some singing the national anthem, but they were outnumbered.Earlier in the day, Berlusconi lunched with Monti in a clear sign the political transition was already under way, news reports said.While the euroskeptic Northern League remained opposed to Montis nomination, some lawmakers suggested they could support a Monti-led government for a few months to enact the additional EU-demanded reforms before elections are held in early 2012.In a statement issued late Saturday, Berlusconis Peoples of Liberty party said its members would support Monti, but added that they would also ensure that Montis Cabinet, legislative agenda and the timeframe of his government meets their requirements.Napolitano appealed for lawmakers to put the good of the country ahead of short-term, local interests an indirect appeal to members of Berlusconis party and the allied Northern League to work with the new government.All political forces must act with a sense of responsibility, he said.It was an ignoble end for the 75-year-old billionaire media mogul, who came to power for the first time in 1994 using a soccer chant Lets Go Italy as the name of his political party and selling Italians on a dream of prosperity with his own personal story of transformation from cruise-ship crooner to Italys richest man.While he became Italys longest-serving post-war premier, Berlusconis three stints as premier were tainted by corruption trials and accusations that he used his political power to help his business interests.