http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-04-20-berlusconi_x.htm?POE=NEWISVA
The political turmoil was triggered by a crushing defeat in the April 3-4 regional elections. Berlusconi's popularity has fallen amid sluggish economic growth and Italy's unpopular military mission in Iraq.
[] Berlusconi, a media mogul-turned-politician, passed about $8.6 billion in tax cuts late last year, but the plan almost tore apart his coalition. Many allies insisted the cuts should have been postponed until 2006, saying Italy's huge debt would not allow for them sooner.
It's just a tactical move to form a new government with a different coalition, which he couldn't do without formally resigning. It's a purely formal matter and will probably be of no consequence at all.
"Given the stability of Italy's government, this young Neapolitan boy will have a 56% chance of serving as prime minister sometime during his life."
-America, the Book