BERLUSCONI PROMISES TO RESIGN WHEN REFORMS APPROVED

BERLUSCONI PROMISES TO RESIGN WHEN REFORMS APPROVED

(ANSA) - Rome, November 8 - Premier Silvio Berlusconi on Tuesday told Italian President Giorgio Napolitano he would resign once economic reforms were approved.

The 75-year-old prime minister informed Napolitano that he is aware of the implications of today's vote in parliament.

The news was contained in a statement released by the president's office after Berlusconi met the head of state.

The government's latest economic reforms are expected to be put to parliament next week.

The statement was issued as Berlusconi left the presidential palace with Cabinet Secretary Gianni Letta.

Earlier opposition leaders stepped up their calls for Berlusconi to resign when he failed to carry a majority and the 2010 budget measure was approved by only 308 votes in the lower house.

There were 321 absentees and one formal abstention.