Monti: Considering to run for next elections

Italian caretaker premier Mario Monti said on Sunday that if political parties ask him to run for the next elections in February 2013 he will consider the condition. Asked at a press conference for government's year-end summary, Monti said: "I do not back any party, but I could evaluate to stand as premier again with those forces that back my agenda." Italian President Giorgio Napolitano on Saturday dissolved parliament after a series of consultations with party leaders, which came following Monti's formal resignation after the parliament passed government's 2013 buget law. Monti announced his resignation on Dec. 8 after former premier Silvio Berlusconi's center-right People of Freedom party (PdL) withdrew support from the emergency cabinet. he said he would resign after parliament cleared the budget law. In the lapse of time between Monti's step back and the vote, which was just set to be held on Feb. 24-25, the caretaker government is due to remain in place for acts of ordinary administration. Napolitano wished that the upcoming electoral campaign will be held with "competitive but also constructive spirit" shared by all political forces.