Italy president names Enrico Letta to form new govt Rome: Italian politician Enrico Letta received a mandate to form a new government from President Giorgio Napolitano, an official at the Quirinale Palace announced on Wednesday.

Letta, the nephew of former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi's long-time chief of staff Gianni Letta and deputy leader of the Democratic Party, is considered a moderate acceptable to the centre-right.

His appointment was announced by Donato Marra, head of Napolitano's secretariat.

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06:05 PM, Apr 24, 2013

Italy: Giorgio Napolitano re-elected as president Rome: Italy's Parliament re-elected Giorgio Napolitano to an unprecedented second term as president, after party leaders persuaded the 87-year-old to serve again in hopes of easing the hostility that has thwarted formation of a new government. Napolitano easily surpassed the simple majority required to be elected on Saturday afternoon. He garnered 738 votes, far more than the 504 needed for victory for another seven-year mandate. Parliament had a much harder...  
06:34 AM, Apr 21, 2013

Queen Elizabeth in hospital with stomach bug Britain's Queen Elizabeth went into hospital in London on Sunday with symptoms of gastroenteritis, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said on Sunday. All the monarch's engagements for the coming week, including a trip to Italy, have been cancelled or postponed as a precaution, the spokesman said. ...  
11:08 PM, Mar 03, 2013

Will probably not contest elections, says Italy PM Monti Italian caretaker Prime Minister Mario Monti indicated in a newspaper interview published on Sunday that he would probably not stand in a February election but would try to convince the winner to complete the reforms his government has begun. Monti, who is expected to end weeks of speculation about his political future told La Repubblica daily he would use it to present a list of reforms that the next government...  
06:55 PM, Dec 23, 2012

Berlusconi quits, Monti said to be next Italy PM Rome: Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi has resigned after parliament's 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 Handel's "Alleluia," performed by a few dozen singers and classical musicians, rang out in front of the president's palace as thousands of Italians poured into downtown Rome to rejoice at...  
07:37 AM, Nov 13, 2011

Italy's Senate to vote for cuts to save euro zone Rome: Italy's Senate was set to vote on Friday for austerity measures demanded by the European Union to avert a euro zone meltdown and a new emergency government is expected within days, ending the Berlusconi era. The upper house is due to begin debating at 0930 GMT on the package with the result due later in the day and the law is seen passing easily, having been approved by the...  
07:16 AM, Nov 11, 2011

Italy Prez names Mario Monti senator for life Rome: Italian President Giorgio Napolitano said on Wednesday he had nominated former European Commissioner Mario Monti as a senator for life, a position awarded to distinguished Italians for their contributions to the country. Monti, an experienced economist who is currently the president of Milan's Bocconi university, has been mentioned in Italian media among possible candidates to succeed Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi when he steps down. He would be seen as...  
06:30 AM, Nov 10, 2011

Berlusconi confirms he won't run in next election Rome: Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi on Wednesday confirmed he won't run again for office and said his hand-picked successor Angelino Alfano will be his party's candidate when Italy holds new elections. Berlusconi on Tuesday promised to resign after a routine vote in parliament showed he no longer had a majority. He said he would step down once parliament passes economic reforms demanded by the European Union to prevent Italy from...  
04:04 PM, Nov 09, 2011