For two decades, Silvio Berlusconi has dominated Italian politics as the longest serving national leader in Europe. But in the last 24 hours, it seems his reign may finally be coming to an end – an idea unthinkable to many Italians who thought he would be in power for life. Berlusconi pledged to resign on Tuesday on the condition Parliament passes an austerity package. From his outrageous comments to his sex scandals to repeated allegations of corruption in his government, the BBC’s Rome correspondent, David Willey looks back at the remarkable and colorful career of Silvio Berlusconi. The turmoil in Italy has continued into Wednesday. Berlusconi’s announcement that he will quit has not settled financial markets. Italy’s borrowing costs have risen again, passing the 7 percent level that analysts regard as a dangerous tipping point. Hugh Sykes of the BBC reports on the latest from Rome.
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