Italy's Berlusconi vows to run for prime minister again

ROME. December 9.KAZINFORM  Italy's former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said Saturday he would run again as his country's leader, signaling a return to the limelight for the nation's most flamboyant politician.
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The billionaire resigned as prime minister just over a year ago at the height of his country's debt crisis, bringing to an end an 18-year era in which he dominated Italian politics.

Profile: Italy's most colorful political figure

Since then, Italy has been run by an unelected, technocratic government headed by economist Mario Monti, Kazinform  has learnt from CNN.

Monti plans to step down after passage of a national budget and stability measures, Italian President Giorgio Napolitano said in a statement Saturday  after meeting with Monti.

"The prime minister doesn't consider it possible to further carry out its mandate and thus he expressed his intention to resign," it read. The statement referenced comments made this week by the secretary of Berlusconi's party, who said that the party considers "Monti's experience concluded."

In a message posted on his website and Facebook page, Berlusconi said: "I'm besieged by my people that are requesting that I get back in the battlefield leading the People of Freedom, PDL party."

He said the center-right coalition had searched for a new leader, but there was no one to replace him.

"I return to politics with despair and out of a sense of responsibility," he said.

But, he added, "I enter the race to win."

The election is expected to be held sometime between March and June.

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