• by IPS Correspondents (rome)
• Tuesday, December 27, 1994
• Inter Press Service

ROME, Dic 27 (IPS) - Antonio di Pietro, one of the leading judges in the "Clean Hands" anti-corruption operation, may become the next Italian Prime Minister, local press reported Tuesday.

Di Pietro told interviewers, "if I am needed, if the state calls me, I am ready" to replace former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who resigned Friday.

A leader in the political corruption investigation that pushed the old ruling class out of power and dissolved the Christian Democrat and Socialist parties that had ruled Italy for the past 50 years, di Pietro has earned a spotless reputation and is now the most popular candidate to replace Berlusconi.

Over 70 percent of the participants in various polls favour di Pietro, who would also be supported by Berlusconi's opponents as well as the former governing coalition.

With the resignation of Berlusconi - who faced three motions of no confidence in Parliament - President Oscar Scalfaro may name the next Prime Minister himself, or call new elections.

Other possible replacements include former President Francesco Cossiga and current Senate Chairman Carlo Scognamiglio of Berlusconi's Forza Italia party.

The well-respected Scognamiglio is considered the most likely choice if Scalfaro names the new Prime Minister himself.

However, both Scalfaro and Berlusconi's opposition support di Pietro's call for elections, while the Clean Hands judge has received still wider support for an anti-monopoly law he proposed.

The latter has received much attention, as Berlusconi's personal economic empire - with a 7 billion dollar turnover - resulted in severe conflicts of interest while he was in power.

© Inter Press Service (2014) — All Rights Reserved. Original source: Inter Press Service

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