UPI en Español  |   UPI Asia  |   About UPI  |   My Account
Search:
Go

Berlusconi to run for prime minister again

|
 
Published: Dec. 8, 2012 at 1:20 PM

MILAN, Italy, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said he plans to run for his old office next year.

Berlusconi, 76, told reporters in Milan he was stepping into the breach because of a lack of effective leadership within his People of Freedom (PDL) party and was "running to win."

"It's not that we did not look ... but one needs time to be imposed as leader," Berlusconi said.

The BBC said Berlusconi was referring to the lack of popular traction for PDL Secretary General Angelino Alfano.

He also said he was running because he considered the austerity policies of Prime Minister Mario Monti to be harmful to Italy.

The latest campaign will likely cap a colorful and controversial political career for Berlusconi. He has served three terms as prime minister, building up what is believed to be a sizable personal fortune at the same time.

Berlusconi resigned from the job in 2011 after being accused of tax fraud. He has been at the center of a scandal involving an underage prostitute, although he has denied any wrongdoing.

Topics: Silvio Berlusconi, Mario Monti
Recommended Stories
© 2012 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints
Join the conversation
Most Popular Collections
'Star Trek Into Darkness' screening NBC upfronts Met Ball 2013
'Great Gatsby' premieres in New York Spire raised on top of One WTC 2013: Celebrity break ups and divorces
Additional World News Stories
1 of 14
The 2013 Billboard Music Awards
View Caption
Singer Miley Cyrus arrives at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 19, 2013. UPI/Jim Ruymen
fark
Police round up two baby goats running in traffic ... *sigh* ... kids these days
How many people does it take to 'rescue' a naked college girl out for a hike high on mushrooms?...
Large tornado on ground right now -in- OKC
Attention all straight people with children, anything with the word "gay" in it is "inappropriate...
Photoshop this man and his fine hat (link fixed, not that it really matters)
Educators worry that students pretending to assassinate each other could lead to real violence,...