• Berlusconi resigns as Italian prime minister

    Tony Gentile / Reuters

    Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is seen in his car as he arrives at Chigi palace in Rome, Italy, Nov. 12.

    Gabriel Bouys / AFP - Getty Images

    A woman holds a placard reading "finally"in front of Palazzo Chigi, Italy's Prime Ministry on November 12, 2011 in Rome. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was set to resign the same day after a parliamentary revolt and a wave of market panic that has shaken the eurozone, leaving behind an uncertain political future.

    Filippo Monteforte / AFP - Getty Images

    An unidentified deputy sits in an empty Italian Lower House before a debate to approve the last package of economic reforms in Rome, Italy, Nov. 12. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was set to resign on Nov. 12 after dominating Italian political life for 17 years, as lawmakers prepared to give final approval to a package of key economic reforms. Berlusconi has said he would go once the measures he promised to the European Union were adopted in parliament after market turmoil raised fears Italy could drag Europe into an unprecedented crisis.

    According to AP:

    Former European Commissioner Mario Monti was expected to be given the task of trying to form a new administration to face a widening financial crisis which has sent Italy's borrowing costs to unmanageable levels. 

    Alessandro Profumo, the former head of Italy's largest bank Unicredit, said he fully backed Monti.

    "We don't yet have a new government in Italy and we have to wait, but I'm sure if Mario Monti will be appointed he will do whatever is necessary in order to restore the confidence of the financial markets in Italy," he told Reuters in Moscow.

    Read the full story here.

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  • Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi watches a critical vote in parliament

    Tony Gentile / Reuters

    Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi (L) holds League North Party leader Umberto Bossi's hand during a finance vote at the parliament in Rome November 8, 2011. Berlusconi, under massive pressure to resign, faces a crucial vote on public finances in parliament on Tuesday which could sink his government if enough party rebels desert him. Berlusconi has denied reports that his resignation is imminent as he struggles to hold his centre-right coalition together, but the increased political uncertainty in Italy has added to turmoil in Europe, hitting global markets on Monday.

    From the full story: 

    Italian news reports quoted Umberto Bossi from the Northern League as telling reporters that it's time for Berlusconi to resign and be replaced by another party leader from their coalition.  Berlusconi has been resisting calls to resign for weeks.

    Bossi has in the past expressed doubts on Berlusconi's ability to complete the current mandate. The Northern League as a whole has proven at times to be a difficult ally, exerting a strong independent streak and challenging Berlusconi on key policies.

    Read more...

  • Luca Bruno / AP

    A Berlusconi supporter displays women's underwear outside the court in Milan on Wednesday, April 6.

    Showing undies in support of Berlusconi at sex trial

    According to the AP, Berlusconi supporters have pledged to maintain a vigil on a traffic island opposite the courthouse where dozens have gathered for recent hearings in three other pending Berlusconi cases, all involving corruption and fraud allegations.

    Full story here: Berlusconi sex trial opens, is adjourned

  • Reuters

    A Guardia di Finanza police officer carrying a gun clashes with protesters during anti-government clashes near the parliament in Rome, Dec. 14, 2010. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi narrowly survived a no-confidence motion on Tuesday that left his struggling centre-right government clinging to power by just a handful of votes.

    Police and protesters clash in Rome

    By James Cheng

    Click here to see more images from the protests.

  • Protesters clash with police in Rome

    Giorgio Cosulich / Getty Images Contributor

    Protesters attack a police officer during a protest called by university students against the vote of confidence in Silvio Berlusconi's government on December 14, 2010 in Rome, Italy. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi scraped through a crucial confidence vote in the lower house of parliament by 314 votes in favour and 311 against.

    Massimo Percossi / EPA

    Pyrotechnics explode as anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Montecitorio square, near the Italian parliament, Rome, Italy on 14 December 2010. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi‘s government on Tuesday narrowly won a key parliament confidence vote, staving off a demand for the premier‘s resignation made by the center-left opposition and a group of rebel conservatives.

    Pier Paolo Cito / AP

    An injured demonstrator receives assistance after clashes, in Rome, Tuesday.

    Alberto Pizzoli / AFP - Getty Images

    A police van and a car have been set on fire at Piazza del Popolo during a protest of youths to demand a change of government as parliament met to hold a crucial vote that could topple Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Dec. 14 in Rome. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi scraped through a crucial confidence vote in the lower house of parliament by 314 votes in favour and 311 against.

    Alessandra Tarantino / AP

    Demonstrators, background, clash with police in Rome's Piazza del Popolo Squaren Dec. 14. Premier Silvio Berlusconi won back-to-back votes of confidence in the Italian parliament Tuesday to survive one of the toughest tests of his political life. But he was left with a razor-thin majority that will make it hard for him to govern effectively. As lawmakers cast their votes, a violent core of anti-Berlusconi protesters outside clashed with police, smashing shop windows, setting cars on fire and hurling firecrackers, eggs and paint.

    By John Makely, NBC News

    For more on the story click here.