DEBORAH MARCHINI, CNN ANCHOR: While we're on the subject of international news, it looks like we're, perhaps, approaching a change of government in Italy that could put big business in charge of the economy. Richard Lambert, editor of the "Financial Times" in London, joins me now with a look at what exactly is going on in Italy -- Richard.</s>RICHARD LAMBERT, EDITOR, "FINANCIAL TIMES": Well, what we're seeing today is the first time since the war, a clear shift from a center-left to a center-right government in Italy -- big turnout, clear majority in both houses for Mr. Berlusconi, who is the media magnate, who is going to be the new prime minister. He was prime minister seven years ago for 200 days -- 220 days. It ended in confusion, sadness and upset. But he's going to be around with us for sometime now, so you're going to have to get used to him.</s>MARCHINI: Why should anybody outside of Italy care?</s>LAMBERT: Because Italy is a very important economy. It's a key member of the European Union. Its finances matter a great deal to the euro. Italy's economy over the last five years has -- the public finances have been well run. The debt has come down. Mr. Berlusconi's talking about tax cuts and about big increases in state pension. His finance minister designate is going around saying, don't worry. He's going to be rather shrewd and austere. But we'll have to wait and see on that. I think, also, the interesting story is, Mr. Berlusconi, his private company, owns 45 percent of Italian television audiences. Now he's the prime minister. He controls 100 percent of Italian television audiences. This is a little bit unusual in a democracy. He said in the next 100 days he's going to decide how he's going to resolve that conflict of interest. But we'll wait and see on that one, too.</s>MARCHINI: I wish him luck, because in the United States, that certainly wouldn't fly. Richard Lambert of the "FT," thank you.
Italian Media Magnate Elected Prime Minister