"Time for Berlusconi to move on" says Lib Dem Euro MP

12.36.37pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 28th Apr 2006

Diana Wallis MEP with the new Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi at a recent meeting in the European Parliament

It is time for outgoing Italian Prime Minister to accept the country's election result and move on says local Euro MP Diana Wallis.

As the lower house of the new Italian parliament meets in session today, outgoing premier, Silvio Berlusconi, is still refusing to recognise the narrow victory of opponent Romano Prodi. The regions's Liberal Democrat MEP, Ms. Wallis, has said that:

"Silvio Berlusconi should accept the democratic verdict and move on. I am sure he has found it tough to lose after so many years in power, but the people have spoken and they want a change.

"Romano Prodi and his centre-left colleagues deserve the opportunity to get on and make the reforms to the Italian eceonomy which are needed. We need a strong, vibrant Italy at the heart of Europe, not one limping along under a lame-duck prime minister with no democratic mandate."

Photo shows Diana Wallis MEP with the new Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi at a recent meeting in the European Parliament.