Thousands of Italians celebrate in the streets of Rome after Silvio Berlusconi hands in his resignation at the presidential palace and brings down the curtain on his 17-year domination of Italian politics. His departure followed a historic vote in parliament that paved the way for a new government tasked with shoring up the ailing economy

Silvio Berlusconi talks with deputies in the lower house of the Italian parliament during a debate on the package of austerity measures
Photograph: Alessandro Bianchi/Reuters

A man outside Palazzo Chigi holds up a fake copy of Time magazine with Berlusconi on the cover
Photograph: Gabriel Bouys/AFP

Berlusconi talks with equal opportunity minister, Mara Carfagna (left), and tourism minister, Michela Vittoria Brambilla, during the debate in parliament
Photograph: Alessandro Bianchi/Reuters

Berlusconi stands up to acknowledge applause before leaving the lower chamber
Photograph: Filippo Monteforte/AFP

Berlusconi leaves the lower house of the Italian parliament after the vote to approve austerity measures
Photograph: Tony Gentile/Reuters

People gather in front of Berlusconi's residence in Rome after his resignation
Photograph: Riccardo De Luca/AP

Thousands celebrate outside the Quirinale presidential palace as the news spreads
Photograph: Mauro Scorbogna/AP

People celebrate with an Italian flag
Photograph: Angelo Carconi/AP

People celebrate with a drink outside Berlusconi's residence in Rome
Photograph: Riccardo De Luca/AP
The Guardian

Silvio Berlusconi talks with deputies in the lower house of the Italian parliament during a debate on the package of austerity measures
Photograph: Alessandro Bianchi/Reuters

A man outside Palazzo Chigi holds up a fake copy of Time magazine with Berlusconi on the cover
Photograph: Gabriel Bouys/AFP

Berlusconi talks with equal opportunity minister, Mara Carfagna (left), and tourism minister, Michela Vittoria Brambilla, during the debate in parliament
Photograph: Alessandro Bianchi/Reuters

Berlusconi stands up to acknowledge applause before leaving the lower chamber
Photograph: Filippo Monteforte/AFP

Berlusconi leaves the lower house of the Italian parliament after the vote to approve austerity measures
Photograph: Tony Gentile/Reuters

People gather in front of Berlusconi's residence in Rome after his resignation
Photograph: Riccardo De Luca/AP

Thousands celebrate outside the Quirinale presidential palace as the news spreads
Photograph: Mauro Scorbogna/AP

People celebrate with an Italian flag
Photograph: Angelo Carconi/AP

People celebrate with a drink outside Berlusconi's residence in Rome
Photograph: Riccardo De Luca/AP
The Guardian
Comments