Moscow - Ria Novosti
Italian President Giorgio Napolitano has asked technocrat Mario Monti to form a new government, following the resignation of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. Napolitano made the announcement after a day of hurried consultations with senior politicians. Monti, a former EU commissioner, needs a majority in parliament to implement drastic spending cuts and tax rises aimed at tackling Italy’s worsening debt crisis.