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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Berlusconi denies spurning PM job | Berlusconi denies spurning PM job |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has denied Italian media reports that he will not try for a third term as prime minister. | Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has denied Italian media reports that he will not try for a third term as prime minister. |
| Through his spokesman he said he had "no intention of giving up the responsibilities that the voters have entrusted me with". | Through his spokesman he said he had "no intention of giving up the responsibilities that the voters have entrusted me with". |
| He said he would not however try to lead a centrist left-right coalition. | He said he would not however try to lead a centrist left-right coalition. |
| Earlier, the Italian newspaper Libero said Mr Berlusconi had told friends that he would not serve as PM again. | Earlier, the Italian newspaper Libero said Mr Berlusconi had told friends that he would not serve as PM again. |
| But the Italian news agency Ansa quoted Mr Berlusconi as saying his comments had been misinterpreted. | But the Italian news agency Ansa quoted Mr Berlusconi as saying his comments had been misinterpreted. |
| 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 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. |
| "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. | "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. |
| Fraud trial | Fraud trial |
| The Libero report came on the day Mr Berlusconi, 70, was facing trial in Milan for alleged fraud and tax evasion. | 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. | 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. | 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 one of Italy's longest-serving post-war prime ministers until losing office earlier this year. | |
| He has been involved in several legal battles in connection with his substantial Milan-based business interests. |