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This is an archive article published on May 26, 2012

Berlusconi angles for Italian presidency

Former PM wants enhanced powers for prez; currently,the presidency is mostly a ceremonial post.

Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi appears to be angling for the role of Italian president,with enhanced powers.

Berlusconi,who has been Italy’s prime minister three times,said today his party will propose a constitutional amendment to allow Italians to directly elect presidents,as

France does. Currently,the Italian presidency is mostly a

ceremonial post,elected to one seven-year term only by both

houses of Parliament.

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Like France,Berlusconi said,Italy should make the president the top job,chosen by the party that wins the most parliamentary seats in an election and allowed to serve two terms.

Berlusconi said the role of president is not his ambition,”but there are responsibilities that one cannot avoid.” Italian President Giorgio Napolitano’s term ends next year.

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