Stocks fall as Berlusconi plans comeback (BBC)
Italian stocks have fallen, reacting to the news that Prime Minister Mario Monti plans to resign and former premier Silvio Berlusconi is to run for office again.
The main Italian stock index fell 2.2%.
Other indexes throughout Europe were also lower, with banks the worst hit among shares.
French President Francois Hollande said Mr Monti's decision to step down early was "a pity" but said Mr Monti would stabilise Italy before the election.
"It's a pity for the short term, but in one month or two months, it will appear that Mr Monti is able to join a coalition or to go forward to stabilise Italy," Mr Hollande told Reuters in Oslo, after European leaders were presented with the Nobel Peace Prize.
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more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20663037
