Italy: Protests against Prime Minister Berlusconi

On November 5, tens of thousands of people poured into the streets of Rome to protest Prime Minister Berlusconi and his reform policies.

CNN reported that many people carried opposition flags at the peaceful protest calling for Mr. Berlusconi to leave the political stage. Some said they wanted immediate elections, others wanted an interim government to lead the country through the difficult months ahead.

Protesters demand Prime Minister Berlusconi's resignation - Photo: PressTV

Speaking to the crowd, Democratic Party leader Pierluigi Bersani affirmed that his party is ready to cooperate with other opposition parties to lead a new government. On November 2, opposition leaders also met with President Napolitano, pledging to support a new government led by a prestigious figure to lead the country to elections in 2013.

The Italian government has failed to come up with a convincing solution to help the country overcome its deepening debt crisis, while Prime Minister Berlusconi is struggling to keep his fragile ruling coalition from collapsing.

A few days ago, Prime Minister Berlusconi, during a meeting with G20 leaders in Cannes, agreed to allow the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to monitor the Italian government's implementation of austerity measures. Mr. Berlusconi was criticized for agreeing to the "shameful" deal under pressure from European countries and financial markets.

The cost of Italy’s massive public debt, which amounts to 120 percent of GDP, has risen sharply in recent months, raising concerns about a default. European policymakers say the Italian economy is too large to warrant a bailout like Greece or Portugal in the event of a default.

According to Tuoi Tre