Berlusconi says ready to drop plans for 2013 electionOctober 9, 2012 - 11:55 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi confirmed on Tuesday, Oct 9, that he was ready to drop plans to lead the center-right in next year's election and did not rule out a second term for Prime Minister Mario Monti, according to Reuters. "Silvio Berlusconi has always said and continues to say that he is ready to stand aside to allow all moderates to unite in single force which can face the left together," he told his own Canale 5 television network. He declined to say who would be the leader of the center right if he did step down but did not rule out a center-right government led by Monti, who has said he would be willing to serve a second term if he were asked. "Absolutely, I would not rule out it being Mario Monti. Ever since I've known him he has always been in the liberal camp, so it could easily be Mario Monti," he said. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |