SILVIO BERLUSCONI

New far-right Premier Giorgia Meloni has used her first visit to European Union headquarters to declare that Italy will be a force to reckon with in EU affairs.

Several thousand black-clad fascist sympathizers chanted and sang in praise of Benito Mussolini as they marched to the slain Italian dictator’s crypt Sunday, 100 years after Mussolini entered Rome and completed a bloodless coup that gave rise to two decades of fascist rule.

Italy’s new far-right-led government of Giorgia Meloni has won the first of two required confidence votes in Parliament by a comfortable margin.

The archetype of the modern populist retained his influence but accomplished nothing as Italy’s economy sank.

Giorgia Meloni was ssworn into office as Italy's premier on Saturday to become the the first far-right-led government in the country since the end of World War II.

Giorgia Meloni was sworn in on Saturday as Italy's first far-right premier since the end of World War II. She is also the first woman to be premier.

Liz Truss’s successor will be chosen within a week, but ructions in her party are likely to persist for years.

ROME — (AP) — Giorgia Meloni, whose political party has neo-fascist roots, was sworn in on Saturday as Italy’s first far-right premier. Meloni, 45, took the oath of office before the Italian president at the presidential palace, becoming also the first woman to be the nation’s premier. Her Brothers of Italy party was the top vote-getter in last month’s national election. Meloni announced her Cabinet on Friday evening. Her coalition allies include the right-wing League of Matteo Salvini and the conservative Forza Italia party headed by former Premier Silvio Berlusconi.

Giorgia Meloni has become the first woman installed as Italy's premier.

As Giorgia Meloni becomes Italy’s first female premier, the world is watching closely to see if she will emerge as a firebrand leader of a far-right party with neo-fascist roots or the more moderate right-wing politician who succeded in capturing 26% of the vote.

Meloni’s Brothers of Italy, a party with neo-fascist roots, was the top vote-getter in Italy's national election last month. Meloni co-founded the party in December 2012, and it was considered a fringe movement on the right during its first years. Berlusconi and Salvini are longtime admirers of Russian President Vladimir Putin; Meloni staunchly backs Ukraine in its defense against the Russian invasion. Still, while her party's members are the largest force in the Italian Parliament, Meloni needs the support of her two allies to command a solid majority. Salvini had lobbied hard to be appointed interior minister by Meloni — a position he held in a 2018-2019 government formed by populists.

ROME — (AP) — Her heart steeped in far-right tenets, as a young teen Giorgia Meloni embarked on an ideological quest that has propelled her — 30 years later — to the height of government power. Meloni stayed above the fray, depicting herself as a champion of democracy and demanding an early election, which took place last month. Berlusconi tapped Meloni to be his youth minister when she was 31, making her Italy's youngest minister. He was replaced by economist Mario Monti, the type of premier that Meloni abhors — a technocrat not chosen by voters. But even as her party's popularity ballooned, Meloni took care to nurture its core base.

As a young teen, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni embarked on an ideological quest that has propelled her to the height of government power

As a young teen, Italy's Giorgia Meloni embarked on an ideological quest that has propelled her to the height of government power.

Italy's likely next prime minister pushed back after the former prime minister was heard on leaked audio speaking glowingly about Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Leaked audio, vodka and his letters to Putin present a challenge to leader Giogia Meloni.

Meloni and her campaign allies met for about 10 minutes with President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinal presidential palace. She emerged to tell reporters that the coalition had unanimously indicated to Mattarella that she deserved the mandate to govern. If Meloni, 45, succeeds, she would be the first woman to become Italian premier. Earlier this week in a meeting with his lawmakers he expressed sympathy for Putin’s motivation for invading Ukraine. That prompted Mattarella to dissolve parliament and pave the way for elections some six months early.

Giorgia Meloni has formed Italy’s new ruling coalition, giving the country its first far-right-led government since the end of World War II.

ROME — (AP) — Italy's presumed next premier, Giorgia Meloni, issued a stark warning to Silvio Berlusconi on Wednesday that he risked losing influence in any new government over his friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as she asserted a strong pro-NATO, pro-European position about Russia's war in Ukraine. “Italy will never be the weak link of the West with us in government,” Meloni said in a statement late Wednesday. “I have reconnected with President Putin — a little, a lot,” Berlusconi was heard saying in comments that were recorded and released by the LaPresse news agency. She is expected to get a mandate to form Italy's next government as early as this week. Berlusconi spoke disparagingly of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accused him of provoking the conflict by increasing attacks on the eastern Donbas after 2014, when Russia-backed separatists started fighting Ukrainian troops.

The three-time premier and media mogul has a long-standing friendship with Putin and has previously seemingly justified Moscow's invasion. “I have reconnected with President Putin — a little, a lot,” Berlusconi was heard saying. Berlusconi spoke disparagingly of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accused him of provoking the conflict by increasing attacks on the eastern Donbas after 2014, when Russia-backed separatists started fighting Ukrainian troops. Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party, which has its roots in a neo-fascist movement, didn’t respond publicly to Berlusconi's comments. Letta said Berlusconi's comments were “incompatible” with Italy and Europe's positions on the war and undermine the credibility of any new Meloni-led government.

Italy's LaPresse news agency published what it said were comments by Berlusconi, 86, to his center-right Forza Italia lawmakers during a meeting this week in the lower Chamber of Deputies. "I have reconnected with President Putin," Berlusconi was heard saying. "He sent me 20 bottles of vodka and a really sweet letter for my birthday. Forza Italia, the junior member of the coalition, is gunning for the foreign ministry, among other ministries. Later he backtracked, saying his words had been “oversimplified.”Berlusconi’s office similarly tried to deny his audiotape comments about the birthday vodka.

ROME — (AP) —Former Premier Silvio Berlusconi, who has a longtime friendship with Vladimir Putin, has been caught on audiotape boasting that he had recently reconnected with the Russian president and exchanged gifts of vodka, wine and “sweet” letters. “I have reconnected with President Putin,” Berlusconi was heard saying. “He sent me 20 bottles of vodka and a really sweet letter. Late in the campaign, he seemed to justify Russia's invasion by saying Putin was forced into it by pro-Moscow separatists in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. Later he backtracked, saying his words had been “oversimplified.”Berlusconi’s office similarly tried to deny his audiotape comments about the birthday vodka.

Italy’s presumed next premier, Giorgia Meloni, has issued a stark warning to Silvio Berlusconi that he risked losing influence in any new government over his friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

ROME — (AP) — Italy’s presumed next premier, Giorgia Meloni, and former Premier Silvio Berlusconi sought to put days of acrimony behind them Monday by meeting privately and presenting a united front as they seek to form Italy’s first far-right-led government since World War II. It is poised to lead a right-wing government along with the center-right Forza Italia, which took 8%, and Matteo Salvini’s right-wing League party, which snared 9%. Meloni, a former militant in the neofascist Italian Social Movement, is expected to be Italy's first female premier. Most Forza Italia senators didn’t vote for Meloni’s candidate for Senate president, Ignazio La Russa, depriving him of a full victory. “They make clear that the power of Forza Italia to influence the leader of Brothers of Italy has reached conspicuous limits."

Italy’s presumed next premier, Giorgia Meloni, and former Premier Silvio Berlusconi are seeking to put days of acrimony behind them over possible Cabinet picks.

ROME — (AP) — The honeymoon is finished even before any marriage of political convenience in Italy could be formalized. Salvini on Saturday issued a sort of call for a truce between Meloni and Berlusconi so that three allies' bid to rule Italy isn't derailed. By all accounts, Meloni had vetoed a ministry for a close political aide of Berlusconi who is one of his several female political proteges. "It seems like a point was missing among those listed by Berlusconi — that I can't be blackmailed,'' Meloni told private Italian TV La7. Still, Meloni needs the forces of Berlusconi and Salvini for any viable coalition.

Meloni is expected to be asked next week by Italy's president to try to create a governing coalition with campaign allies Berlusconi and right-wing leader Matteo Salvini and become premier. Salvini on Saturday issued a sort of call for a truce between Meloni and Berlusconi so that three allies' bid to rule Italy isn't derailed. By all accounts, Meloni had vetoed a ministry for a close political aide of Berlusconi who is one of his several female political proteges. "It seems like a point was missing among those listed by Berlusconi — that I can't be blackmailed,'' Meloni told private Italian TV La7. Still, Meloni needs the forces of Berlusconi and Salvini for any viable coalition.

The resounding victory by far-right leader Giorgia Meloni in last month's Italian election isn't sitting well with Silvio Berlusconi.

The honeymoon is finished even before any marriage of political convenience in Italy could be formalized. Meloni is expected to be asked next week by Italy's president to try to create a governing coalition with campaign allies Berlusconi and right-wing leader Matteo Salvini and become premier. Behind-the-scenes divvying up of ministries in what would be Italy's first far-right-led government since the end of World War II started after her Brothers of Italy party took 26% of the ballots cast, more than those won by the forces of Salvini and Berlusconi combined.

Forming a new government in Italy involves time and decades-old rituals.

Far-right leader Giorgia Meloni is vowing to put Italy's national interests first in tackling soaring energy costs.

The country has chosen its most right-wing government since the Second World War. Will political dysfunction temper extremism?

LONDON — Giorgia Meloni, the head of Italy's far-right nationalist political group, declared victory on Tuesday after her coalition, which includes her party the Fratelli d'Italia (Brothers of Italy), won a clear majority. Meloni, set to become Italy’s first female prime minister, vowed that her party would “govern for everyone.”"Italians have sent a clear message in favor of a right-wing government led by Brothers of Italy," Meloni told reporters. Meloni has had long-standing ties with key members of U.S. politics. Since 2018, Steve Bannon, former White House adviser under President Donald Trump, has supported Meloni in her rise to political stardom. Attending one of Bannon's right-wing rallies in Europe in 2018, Meloni told the Daily Beast at the time that she saw Bannon as an "ally," adding that, "We share ideals.

The European Commission has signed off on the next 21-billion-euro ($20.2 billion) tranche of Italy’s pandemic recovery funds.

“Regaining a seat in the Senate was a sort of personal revenge for Berlusconi, after all the judicial problems he went through,” said Massimiliano Panarari, political analyst at Rome’s Mercatorum University. In 2013, the Senate expelled Berlusconi because of a tax fraud conviction stemming from his media business, and he was banned from holding public office for six years. Berlusconi’s Forza Italia center-right party — which pioneered populist politics in Italy in the 1990s — gained just over 8% in Sunday’s vote, which dominated by his ally Giorgia Meloni. “In the competition with the League, Forza Italia did pretty well and, thanks to this, Berlusconi will be pivotal again in the new governing coalition. “Forza Italia proved decisive for the success of the center-right and the formation of the next government,” Berlusconi enthused in a tweet.

Italy’s former premier Silvio Berlusconi is making his return to Italy’s parliament nearly a decade after being banned from holding public office over a tax fraud conviction.

The Brothers of Italy party has won the most votes in Italy’s national election.

Near-final results show a party with neo-fascist roots, the Brothers of Italy, has swept Italy’s national elections.

A party with neo-fascist roots has won the most votes in Italy’s national election, setting the stage for talks to form the country’s first far right-led government since World War II, with Giorgia Meloni at the helm as Italy’s first female premier.

Southern Europe is ripe for the political disruption Meloni represents, but Italy’s institutions and coalition infighting may contain her extremist policies.

"Italy moves to the right,'' Italian daily La Stampa headlined its front page in an early Monday edition. Her main campaign allies and likely coalition partners are anti-migrant League leader Matteo Salvini and conservative former Premier Silvio Berlusconi. That compared to some 19% by the closest challenger, the center-left Democratic Party of former Premier Enrico Letta. Meloni's strong showing heartened her allies in Europe, intent on shifting the European Union's politics sharply to the right. In the last election, in 2018, Meloni's party took 4.4%.

An alliance of right-wing parties in Italy, led by Georgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy party, was set to win Sunday's election, according to exit polls.

ROME — (AP) — Far-right leader Giorgia Meloni’s electoral alliance appeared to hold a wide lead in Italy’s national note, an exit poll on state television suggested shortly after polls closed on Sunday evening. The publication of opinion polls is banned in the two weeks leading up to the election. Polls before then indicated that far-right leader Giorgia Meloni and her Brothers of Italy party, which has neo-fascist roots, was the most popular. Their leaders, Salvini, Berlusconi and 5-Star Movement leader Giuseppe Conte, a former premier whose party is the largest in the outgoing Parliament, saw Meloni’s popularity growing while theirs were slipping. Meloni kept her Brothers of Italy party in the opposition, refusing to join Draghi’s unity government or Conte’s two coalitions that governed after the 2018 vote.

Italy held elections on Sunday which may move the country to the Right, politically.

Italians were voting on Sunday in an election that could move the country's politics sharply toward the right during a critical time for Europe.

Italians were voting on Sunday in an election that could move the country's politics sharply toward the right during a critical time for Europe.

Before publication of opinion polls were banned 15 days ago, far-right leader Giorgia Meloni and her Brothers of Italy party, with its neo-fascist roots, led in popularity, suggesting Italians were poised to vote their first far-right government into power since World War II. But pollsters predicted turnout could be even lower than the record-setting low of 73% in the last general election in 2018. But the three populist parties in the coalition boycotted a confidence vote tied to an energy relief measure. She further distanced herself from Salvini and Berlusconi with unflagging support for Ukraine, including sending weapons so Kyiv could defend itself against Russia. In the final days of the election campaign, Salvini criticized Russian atrocities in Ukraine.

The center-left did not agree on teaming up with left-leaning populists or centrists, which is a big disadvantage in Italian elections. But populist leaders saw their parties' support steadily slipping both in opinion polls and in various mayoral and gubernatorial races since the last national election in 2018. In July, 5-Star Movement head Giuseppe Conte, right-wing League leader Matteo Salvini and former Premier Silvio Berlusconi yanked their support for Premier Mario Draghi during a confidence vote. Her far-right Brothers of Italy, a party with neo-fascist roots, won just over 4% in the 2018 election. Since the last election, a reform has been passed aimed at streamlining Parliament and make its operation less costly to taxpayers.

A Sunday parliamentary election will determine who next governs major industrial economy and key NATO member Italy.

Next week, Italy will have a new prime minister—and the leading candidate, Giorgia Meloni, is an avowed fan of Mussolini.

Italian voters cast ballots on Sunday in an election that has been billed as crucial as Europe reels from the repercussions of war in Ukraine.

Her Brothers of Italy party has enjoyed a meteoric rise in popularity since the vote in 2018, when it polled just over 4%. ____ENRICO LETTALetta, the 56-year-old leader of the Democratic Party, Italy’s main center-left force, is Meloni’s chief election rival. ___MATTEO SALVINISalvini, the 49-year-old League party leader, had been the unchallenged face of right-wing leadership in Italy until Giorgia Meloni's far-right party took off. When neither then-5-Star leader Luigi Di Maio nor right-wing leader Matteo Salvini budged on who would become premier, Conte got the job. Early in his second stint as premier, Italy became the first nation in the West to be slammed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The main candidates in Italy's general election on Sunday to elect a new Parliament and determine who next governs the country include both familiar names and lesser-known ones.

With Italy's election looming, the main leader of the Italian center-left alliance says the gains of a Swedish populist party with neo-Nazi roots is one more indication that fear is driving the far-right's growth in Europe.

Far-right leader Giorgia Meloni’s is gathering momentum in her push to become Italy’s first female premier.

The New York Yankees are becoming a minority investor in Italian champion AC Milan, the second soccer team the baseball power will partially own after MLS’s New York City.

Italian far-right leader Giorgia Meloni has led her first election campaign rally in the Adriactic port city of Ancona.

The far-right candidate who aspires to be Italy’s first female premier has come under fire from opponents for posting a pixelized video that purports to show a woman being raped by an asylum-seeker.

If the ring-wing leader becomes Italy’s next prime minister, it would be a historic moment for the country. Will she live up to it?

Giorgia Meloni is riding a wave of popularity that next month could see her become Italy’s first female prime minister and its first far-right leader since World War II.

The country’s right-wing coalition unveiled a policy manifesto that can essentially be summed up as patriotic talk and a cocktail of misguided tax cuts.

Italy's far-right leader Giorgia Meloni, who is leading in opinion polls ahead of next month's elections, is insisting she won't be a danger to democracy if she becomes the country's next premier.

Italy's president is urging Italians to reinvigorate their democracy as the country notes the 100th anniversary of an attack that paved Benito Mussolini's path to power.

The Italian political class has had a long, controversial dalliance with Moscow. This is not the time to rekindle that affair.

Italian Premier Mario Draghi’s decision to turn in his resignation after his “unity” coalition broke apart dramatically in Parliament was the latest step in a political crisis that could take months before a new government is solidly in place to lead the European Union’s third-largest economy

APTOPIX Italy Politics Italian Premier Mario Draghi waves to lawmakers at the end of his address at the Parliament in Rome, Thursday, July 21, 2022. By Thursday afternoon, about the only certainty was Italians are going to the ballot box on Sept. 25, some six months early. Its leader, Giuseppe Conte, drafted by the 5-Stars to be premier in back-to-back governments, had joined his successor's “national unity coalition." But with Salvini itching for years to become premier, Meloni might face a Salvini-Berlusconi deal to make the League leader the next premier. The dramatic and rapid unraveling of Draghi's ‘’unity" coalition is likely to leave its mark on Italy's political landscape.

Italian Premier Mario Draghi's decision to turn in his resignation after his “unity” coalition broke apart dramatically in Parliament was the latest step in a political crisis that could take months before a new government is solidly in place to lead the European Union's third-largest economy.

Italy is headed for an early election after its president accepted Premier Mario Draghi’s resignation and decided there was no possibility for cobbling together another government.

Italy Politics Italian Premier Mario Draghi waits to deliver his speech at the Senate in Rome, Wednesday, July 20, 2022. Draghi was deciding Wednesday whether to confirm his resignation or reconsider appeals to rebuild his parliamentary majority after the populist 5-Star Movement triggered a crisis in the government by withholding its support. After hours of debate on his fate, Draghi asked the Senate to vote Wednesday on a confidence measure calling him to keep on governing. Last week Draghi had offered to step down after losing support from the populist 5-Star Movement, a partner in his 17-month-old coalition. Before Wednesday, even without the populist 5-Star Movement’s senators, Draghi could have still mustered a working majority in the Senate.

Italy is entering five days of political and financial uncertainty after the 5-Star Movement sparked a government crisis by withholding support on a government-sponsored bill.

Italian journalist Eugenio Scalfari has died at 98.

Italy's president has rebuffed Premier Mario Draghi's offer to resign after a key ally refused to back the government in a Senate vote.

Italy Politics FILE - Italy's President Sergio Mattarella, left, greets Italy's Prime Minister Mario Draghi at the Quirinale presidential palace in Rome, Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, ahead of the French President visit. Draghi met Monday, July 11, 2022 with Italy’s president to discuss the future of his government amid simmering tensions with coalition member 5-Star Movement. (Alberto Pizzoli/Pool photo via AP, File) (Alberto Pizzoli)ROME — (AP) — Italian Premier Mario Draghi met Monday with Italy’s president to discuss the future of his government amid simmering tensions with coalition member the 5-Star Movement. Five-Star lawmakers abstained from a vote in the lower Chamber of Deputies on Monday, signaling a lack of support for Draghi’s government. But after the abstentions Monday, lawmakers openly questioned whether Draghi could continue on without full 5-Star support.

Italy's Premier Mario Draghi is meeting with Italy’s president to discuss the future of his government amid simmering tensions with a coalition member, the 5-Star Movement.

The missile cruiser Moskva, named in honor of the Russian capital, was launched during the Cold War, saw service during conflicts in Georgia, Syria and Ukraine, and helped conduct peacetime scientific research with the United States.

The sixth round of voting ended inconclusively on Friday, sending political parties into yet more intense negotiations to come up with a viable candidate to replace President Sergio Mattarella, whose term expires next week. The president, who is 80, has repeatedly said he doesdn't want another seven-year stint as head of state. Until 2013, no president had served a second term. Napolitano resigned in 2015, when he was nearly 90, clearing the way for the election that made Mattarella head of state. In that round, Mattarella garnered 387 votes, 51 more than he received in Friday evening's vote, where momentum for a second mandate started gaining traction.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella has been pulled away from his impending retirement and reelected to a second seven-year term as the country’s head of state, ending days of political impasse as party leaders struggled to pick his successor.

Italy Presidential Elections President of the Italian Senate, Maria Elisabetta Alberti Casellati, left, and President of the Italian Lower Chamber Roberto Fico count ballots in the Italian parliament in Rome, during a voting session in the Italian parliament, in Rome, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022. The first rounds of voting in Italy's Parliament for the country's next president yielded an avalanche of blank ballots, as lawmakers and special regional electors failed to deliver a winner amid a political stalemate. At the start of the fifth day of voting, right-wing League leader Matteo Salvini declared that the center-right bloc would vote for the Senate president, Maria Elisabetta Alberti Casellati. A sixth round of balloting, held on Friday evening, also yielded no winner, with leaders from the center-right bloc indicating their electors were sitting out that round while behind-the-scenes negotiations continued. The president, however, helps to authoritatively mediate Italy’s frequent political squabbling in its coalition governments and can dissolve Parliament if it becomes hopelessly stalemated.

Italy Presidential Elections President of the Italian Senate, Maria Elisabetta Alberti Casellati, left, and President of the Italian Lower Chamber Roberto Fico count ballots in the Italian parliament in Rome, during a voting session in the Italian parliament, in Rome, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022. The first rounds of voting in Italy's Parliament for the country's next president yielded an avalanche of blank ballots, as lawmakers and special regional electors failed to deliver a winner amid a political stalemate. At the start of the fifth day of voting, right-wing League leader Matteo Salvini declared that the center-right bloc would vote for Senate president, Maria Elisabetta Alberti Casellati. Neither of the two major blocs in Parliament – the center-right or center-left – has that majority on paper. Under the Constitution, the head of state represents national unity who helps to authoritatively mediate Italy’s frequent political squabbling in its coalition governments.

Insistence by Italy's center-right bloc that their candidate becomes the nation's president has backfired.

Italy Presidential Elections A view of the Italian parliament, in Rome, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, during a voting session for the election of Italy's 13th president. Starting with the fourth round of voting on Thursday, only a simple majority of 505 votes is necessary. Whether enough support can be found to elect Premier Mario Draghi as president is one of the possibilities being haggled over by party leaders. But party leaders in the unusual unity coalition are nervous about who might replace him as premier if he moves to the Quirinal presidential palace. In Monday's initial round of voting, the lack of agreement was underlined by an avalanche of blank ballots cast.

Leaders across Italy's political spectrum have been struggling to nail down an agreement on who should be the country's next president.

Italy Presidential Vote Senator Emma Bonino casts her ballot during the first round of votes in the Italian parliament, Monday, Jan. 24, 2022. The first round of voting for Italy’s next president opens Monday without a clear slate of candidates. Political parties held internal meetings over the weekend, but were keeping the names of possible candidates close to their vests. During the first three rounds of voting, a two-thirds majority, or 672 votes, is necessary to win. Garnering the next amount of votes, with 16, was outgoing President Sergio Mattarella, 80, who has repeatedly said he did not want to run again.

Italy Presidential Vote FILE - A Courassier presidential guard is silhouetted in the courtyard of Rome's Quirinale presidential palace, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. The first round of voting for Italy's next president opens Monday without a clear slate of candidates following three-time ex-Premier Silvio Berlusconi's reluctant withdrawal. But with any agreement on a candidate possibly days away, many lawmakers were expected to cast blank ballots Monday. When the electors, starting with infirmed lawmakers and senators-for-life, finished voting, they deposited ballots in an ornate round container. By special arrangement, 20 electors who have COVID-19 were allowed to cast their ballots at a parking lot drive-in behind Parliament.

A secret ballot to elect Italy's next president begins on Monday — with Prime Minister Mario Draghi among the favorites.

Italy Presidential Vote FILE - A Courassier presidential guard is silhouetted in the courtyard of Rome's Quirinale presidential palace, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. The first round of voting for Italy's next president opens Monday without a clear slate of candidates following three-time ex-Premier Silvio Berlusconi's reluctant withdrawal. (AP Photo/ Andrew Medichini, File) (Andrew Medichini)ROME — (AP) — The first round of voting for Italy’s next president opens Monday without a clear slate of candidates following three-time ex-Premier Silvio Berlusconi’s reluctant withdrawal, a situation that is likely to persist until Thursday. Political parties held internal meetings over the weekend, but were keeping the names of possible candidates close to their vests. He has also helped Italy secure billions in EU funding to relaunch the economy in what was Europe’s first pandemic epicenter.

A first round of voting to elect Italy's next president has failed as expected amid a political impasse.

Italy Politics Berlusconi FILE - Silvio Berlusconi waves as he leaves the San Raffaele hospital in Milan, Italy, on Sept. 14, 2020. Former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi has been undergoing a series of medical examinations in a Milan hospital, a spokesman confirmed Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, the day after the center-right political leader and media tycoon took his name out of contention to be Italy’s next president. Italian media reported that Berlusconi had been hospitalized at San Raffaele hospital, where is physician works, but the spokesman said he has been in and out of the hospital over recent days for a series of exams and a checkup. Italian media reported that Berlusconi had been hospitalized at San Raffaele hospital, where his physician works, but the spokesman said he has been in and out of the hospital over recent days for a series of exams and a checkup. Berlusconi spent 10 days being treated at San Raffaele Hospital for COVID-19 in September of 2020.

Former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi has been undergoing a series of medical examinations in a Milan hospital.

Italy Berlusconi for President FILE - Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi is framed by microphones prior to deliver his speech at the Italian Senate, Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010. Italy is poised to elect a new president, a figure who is supposed to serve as the nation's moral compass and foster unity by being above the political fray. Silvio Berlusconi thinks he fits the bill. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File) (Alessandra Tarantino)ROME — (AP) — Former premier Silvio Berlusconi on Saturday bowed out of Italy's presidential election set for next week, though he insisted he had nailed down enough voters to become head of state. Lawmakers in Parliament, as well as special regional electors, are expected to begin casting secret ballots on Monday to choose Italy's next president.

Former premier Silvio Berlusconi has bowed out of Italy’s presidential election set for next week.

Italy is poised to elect a new president, a figure who is supposed to serve as the nation’s moral compass and foster unity by being above the political fray.

Italy has set Jan. 24 as the start date to begin voting for a new Italian president.

Italian Premier Mario Draghi says his government has accomplished most of what it set out do in fighting the pandemic and restoring economic growth.

Italian Rai state TV says Raffaella Carra', for decades one of Italy's most popular entertainers, has died at 78.

The immunologist who leads the COVID-19 response in the United States says “the undeniable effects of racism” have led to unacceptable health disparities that especially hurt African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans during the pandemic.

Florida’s major theme parks are adjusting face mask policies after the CDC loosened its recommendations as more people get vaccinated for the coronavirus.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella had tasked the former European Central Bank president with trying to form a government up to managing the the health, economic and social crises of the coronavirus pandemic. AdDraghi’s most-quoted words so far have been those uttered in 2012 when the euro-zone risked collapsing in a crisis of confidence and he vowed the European Central Bank would do “whatever it takes” to rescue the euro. The current head of the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde, tweeted her congratulations. Italy's health minister through the pandemic, Roberto Speranza, kept his post, the sole minister from a small left-wing party. ___This story has been corrected to show that employees applauded for Conte, not Draghi.

Leader of the Five-Stars Movement Vito Crimi, 2nd from right, addresses the media at the Quirinale presidential palace in Rome Friday, Jan. 29, 2021. Draghi, 73, the former president of the European Central Bank completed a first round of talks with political parties this week. Another round is expected early next week on potential Cabinet ministers and a synthesis from Draghi of his vision for the new government. AdItaly's president tapped Draghi this week to form a government after the resignation of ex-Premier Giuseppe Conte, who lost support of a small but key coalition party. Salvini’s move to support Draghi puts him at odds with the far-right Brothers of Italy party and its leader, Giorgia Meloni.

Outgoing Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte waves as he leaves after meeting journalists outside Chigi palace Premier's office in Rome, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021. Draghi must rely on political support to pass measures aimed at helping Italy emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and revive its economy, already stagnant before being pummeled by lockdown measures. “I hope for a political government that is solid and has sufficient cohesion to be able to make political choices, because the urgencies of the country need political choices, they can’t be entrusted to technocrats,” Conte said. Conte also pitched to two other parties from his unraveled coalition, the center-left Democrats and the leftist Free and Equal Party. His call for a political alliance appeared to indicate Conte intended to stay in politics, even while out of office.