Monti positive about future candidates in Italian elections

Italian Premier Mario Monti sounded in positively regarding future elections in the country at the annual Ambrosetti Workshop in Cernobbio on Lake Como saying it was "inconceivable that qualified candidates would not be on the ballot" next April for scheduled elections. "I refuse to believe that in a great democratic country like Italy, we can not elect a leader who is able to drive the country," said the premier on Sunday at the workshop's conclusion. Monti denied that he would seek another mandate when the current one ends in 2013. "My horizon ends in April 2013", Mario Monti told media when asked whether he would be willing to seek a second term in office as Italian prime minister. Monti stepped in to head an emergency government of non-political technocrats after growing market pressure forced Silvio Berlusconi to quit as premier in November.