Polls in Italy opened for the second day of voting in one of the most closely watched and unpredictable elections in years.

Berlusconi’s warning that his party could withdraw its support for the government has been seen as a declaration of war against the Prime Minister.

Matt Quigley’s guide to the data releases, meetings and other economic events likely to generate headlines and move markets in the week ahead.

Merkel’s acceptance of the crisis-fighting measures at the euro summit is being heralded as a victory for French, Italian and Spanish presidents.

An investigation into fraud and illegal funding at Italy’s Northern League party is undermining the leadership of founder Umberto Bossi.

Italy has scraped through a key bond auction test but Prime Minister Mario Monti has called for a European-wide response to the debt crisis.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti, politicians and newspaper editors have been sent letters containing bullets and threats over austerity measures.

Prime Minister Mario Monti has unveiled an ambitious economic crisis plan with reforms aimed at appeasing global leaders and financial markets.

Silvio Berlusconi has dominated Italy with a mix of talent and brazen behaviour but in the end, the born showman was humiliatingly jeered from office.