Silvio Berlusconi steps down as Italian premier

Associated Press

ROME

A chorus of Handel’s “Hallelujah” rang out Saturday as Silvio Berlusconi resigned as Italian premier, ending a tumultuous 17-year political era and setting in motion a transition aimed at bringing the country back from the brink of economic crisis.

Berlusconi stepped down amid jeers, cheers and heckles of “Buffoon” from thousands of people who packed downtown Rome to witness his government’s downfall after a stunning week of market turmoil that upended his defiant hold on power and threatened to tear apart the eurozone.

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 the job is Herculean, given the enormity of reforms required and Italy’s often-paralyzed parliament.

President Giorgio Napolitano will have consultations this morning with each of Italy’s main political forces before proceeding with the expected request that Monti try to form a new government.

Napolitano has scheduled back-to-back, 10-minute meetings all morning, indicating the talks won’t drag on and that by the open of markets Monday, Italy may well have charted a new political course.

Late Saturday, Berlusconi’s party said it would support Monti, albeit with conditions.

In front of Napolitano’s office, where Berlusconi handed in his resignation late Saturday, protesters uncorked sparkling wine and danced in a conga line, shouting “We’re free!” Several dozen singers and classical musicians — complete with music stands and chairs — performed Handel’s “Hallelujah” to rejoice in the end of Berlusconi’s scandal-marred reign and welcome Monti into office.

“I think he [Monti] is going to bring trust back to Italian people who are losing it, are a bit fed up with what’s going on and have lost the trust and the respect” they had for Berlusconi, said Sophie Duffort of France, who was in the piazza Saturday night.

Berlusconi supporters also were out in force, some singing the national anthem, but they were vastly outnumbered.