Giorgio Napolitano

Enrico Letta appointed Italian premier-designate

Italy's president today appointed Enrico Letta as premier-designate, asking him to form a coalition government representing Italy's main parties to end two months of political paralysis and put the country back on the path of reform and growth.

Italy president Napolitano seeks counsel to end gridlock

Political gridlock that has prevented the formation of a government more than a month after inconclusive elections.

Here's how Italy's political crisis is likely to play out

It seems more likely that Berlusconi will not quit until he loses a formal vote of confidence.