Berlusconi hints at final term in power

ROME – Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi suggested yesterday that he may not stand for re-election when his term expires…

ROME – Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi suggested yesterday that he may not stand for re-election when his term expires in 2013, naming former justice minister Angelino Alfano as a possible successor.

“At the end of the legislative term, I will have been in politics for 20 years, an enormous period because political life is dramatically tough,” he said at a rally of youth supporters of his People of Freedom party.

He added that he would decide when the time came.

The Italian PM said he would like to see the Mr Alfano (40) appointed earlier this year as co-ordinator of the PDL, already identified as his preferred successor, as a future PM. – (Reuters)