Italy's premier-elect Berlusconi basks in victory

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2008

ROME (AFP) — Italian prime minister-elect Silvio Berlusconi wasted no time on Tuesday in naming key cabinet posts while his emphatic election victory drew a lukewarm response from abroad.

The 71-year-old media tycoon said his full cabinet would take shape within a week, to include EU justice commissioner Franco Frattini as foreign minister and longtime aide Gianni Letta as deputy prime minister.

The Milan billionaire, set to take up a third stint as premier, said the crucial economy portfolio would go to Giulio Tremonti, who served in the role under Berlusconi's previous government.

Praise and criticism of the poll result poured in on Tuesday, with US President George W. Bush saying he was eager to work again with Berlusconi, who was one of Bush's strongest...