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Berlusconi turns back on PM job Berlusconi denies spurning PM job
(about 4 hours later)
Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has said he will not head the government again if his centre-right bloc is re-elected. Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has denied Italian media reports that he will not try for a third term as prime minister.
An Italian newspaper, Libero, says its correspondent heard Mr Berlusconi tell friends his bloc would certainly return to power but he would not be PM. Through his spokesman he said he had "no intention of giving up the responsibilities that the voters have entrusted me with".
The report came on the day Mr Berlusconi was facing trial in Milan for alleged fraud and tax evasion. He said he would not however try to lead a centrist left-right coalition.
Mr Berlusconi, Italy's richest man, was beaten narrowly in the April elections. Earlier, the Italian newspaper Libero said Mr Berlusconi had told friends that he would not serve as PM again.
"We will certainly return to power but I can already tell you something. Whatever happens, I will not go back to Palazzo Chigi (the prime minister's office)," Mr Berlusconi, aged 70, was quoted as saying. But the Italian news agency Ansa quoted Mr Berlusconi as saying his comments had been misinterpreted.
"I've already done my part. Enough for me," he said. He explained that he would not necessarily play a role in any broad coalition with centre-left Prime Minister Romano Prodi, who beat his centre-right bloc narrowly in the April elections.
He was beaten in general elections in April by centre-left leader Romano Prodi, a long-standing rival who also beat him in 1996. "As I've already said in public a number of times, I wouldn't necessarily expect to be part of a broad governing coalition, and certainly not the premier in such a case," he said.
Mr Berlusconi first served as prime minister in 1994, leading his own party, Forza Italia (Go Italy). It formed a coalition with the right-wing National Alliance and Northern League. Fraud trial
He returned to power in 2001, and became post-war Italy's longest-serving prime minister for an uninterrupted period. The Libero report came on the day Mr Berlusconi, 70, was facing trial in Milan for alleged fraud and tax evasion.
According to Libero, Mr Berlusconi said: "We will certainly return to power but I can already tell you something - whatever happens, I will not go back to Palazzo Chigi (the prime minister's office). I've already done my part. Enough for me," he added.
Mr Berlusconi, Italy's richest man, first served as prime minister in 1994, leading his own party, Forza Italia (Go Italy). It formed a coalition with the right-wing National Alliance and Northern League.
He returned to power in 2001, and became post-war Italy's longest-serving prime minister for an uninterrupted period until losing office earlier this year.
He has been involved in several legal battles involving his substantial Milan-based business interests.He has been involved in several legal battles involving his substantial Milan-based business interests.
A spokesman for Mr Berlusconi interviewed by Reuters news agency did not deny the Libero report, although he said the former premier had not granted an interview.