ROME — Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi said he was feeling “liberated” after pledging to stand down following the loss of his parliamentary majority and compared his situation to that of the Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.
Berlusconi vowed to leave office after the Italian parliament approves austerity measures and said in an interview with the La Stampa newspaper published Wednesday that he would not run in upcoming elections.
“As soon as the reforms are approved, I will resign … The procedure will be complete by the end of the month,” he said.
Berlusconi said elections likely would take place in early February, “but I won’t be running.”
He added, “It’s important to act fast — the sooner we act, the sooner we can get off this hellish ride, this unbelievable situation, with markets that push and press.”
Berlusconi complained that the authority of his premiership was eroded. “I am tired of not being able to dictate the line or be able to do the politics I want to do. I feel more powerful as a free citizen than as prime minister,” he said.
The 75 year old said he was reading a book of letters by Mussolini and his mistress Clara Petacci. “At a certain point, he says, ‘But don’t you understand that I don’t count for anything anymore, I can only make suggestions.’ I have felt in the same situation,” he said.
Berlusconi clarified, “Of course, I am not a dictator.”
He tapped Angelino Alfano, the leader of his People of Freedom party, as a replacement candidate.
Asked how he would spend his time out of office, the media tycoon said he may spend more time running his soccer club, AC Milan.