Berlusconi: Italy’s PM Must Resign If Center-Right Succeeds in Elections

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi must resign if center-right forces win in three out of seven regions in the upcoming May 31 regional elections, former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said Wednesday.

ROME (Sputnik) – In 2000 then-Prime Minister Massimo D’Alema, who had come to power in a cloud of "intrigues," resigned when center-right forces won in eight out of 15 regions, Berlusconi noted.

"If we win in three regions – Veneto, Campania and Liguria – Renzi must stand down as prime minister," Berlusconi said at a meeting in Veneto’s city of Padua.

Berlusconi has repeatedly criticized Renzi, alleging that the current prime minister assumed office without being democratically elected by Italian citizens.

On May 31, regional elections will take place in seven Italian regions, namely Veneto, Campania, Liguria, Toscana, Umbria, Marche and Apulia.

Berlusconi, who has been involved in an exhaustive list of scandals including tax fraud, money laundering, influence-peddling, and solicitation of underage females for sex, is the leader of the center-right Forza Italia party. He has occupied the post of Italian prime minister for three terms.