11月11日，意大利参议院通过了意2012年预算案。该方案推出了旨在放松地方政府对公共服务合约控制并使职业自由化的一系列举措。修订后的预算案还包括一个将公共土地私有化的方案，以缓解国内银行业面临的压力。预算案通过后意总理贝卢斯科尼宣布辞职。

　[原文]：

　　Budget Bill Hastens Berlusconi Exit Date

　　ROME—The Italian Senate's approval of an amended 2012 budget on Friday started the countdown for the exit of longtime Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and the likely entrance of an interim government.

　　The budget package includes measures to loosen local authorities' control over public-service contracts and liberalize professions. It also includes a plan to privatize public real estate in a way that could relieve pressure on the country's banks, which are large holders of Italian bonds.

　　Mr. Berlusconi, who tried to tackle the crisis with tax increases and spending cuts, has pledged to step down as soon as the measures are approved by the lower house, which will vote on them Saturday. At that point, Italian President Giorgio Napolitano will begin a round of consultations with Italy's main political parties aimed at appointing a new government charged with administering painful medicine to Italy's ailing economy.

　　The amended budget was backed by Mr. Berlusconi's forces. The main opposition Democratic Party abstained from voting, a move of tacit support for a bill that was formally proposed by the government. Senators from Italy of Values, the second-largest party in the center-left coalition, voted against the bill.

　　Many lawmakers also expect the Chamber of Deputies, or lower house of Parliament, to swiftly pass the measures. The government has scheduled a final cabinet meeting Saturday evening once the parliamentary vote is completed. Mr. Berlusconi is then expected to hand in his resignation.

　　Mr. Berlusconi received a nod of approval late Friday from Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who called him "one of the last Mohicans of European politics." Speaking to foreign academics and journalists, he praised Mr. Berlusconi as being an "open person" who is good for Italy.

　　"There are not many people like that in European politics," Mr. Putin said.

　　Mr. Napolitano, the president, is likely to name former European Union commissioner Mario Monti to head an interim government, though in Italy's volatile political landscape, last-minute changes remain a possibility.

　　Late Friday, some of Mr. Berlusconi's allies were pressing the premier to propose alternative candidates to head up an interim government, according to a person familiar with the matter, such as former Prime Minister Lamberto Dini and Angelino Alfano, a former justice minister who Mr. Berlusconi considers his political successor.

　　The person added, however, that Mr. Monti was still widely regarded as the front-runner and that dozens of lawmakers in Mr. Berlusconi's party were ready to back him.

　　If Mr. Monti is tapped, he will come under immediate pressure from investors and European regulators to take steps, such as a wealth tax, to lower Italy's ?1.9 trillion ($2.6 trillion) debt. Italy has also faced repeated calls to free up its restrictive labor market and make further cuts to red tape.

　　It is unclear whether an interim government will have the latitude to introduce sweeping reforms in a country that for decades has resisted change. Much will depend on whether Mr. Napolitano manages to convince a broad swath of Parliament to back a new government, giving a possible premier like Mr. Monti a commanding majority.

　　—Stephen Fidler contributed to this article.

　　The Northern League, a former separatist party that has been Mr. Berlusconi's main coalition partner, has vowed to oppose an interim government, calling instead for early elections.

　　The League, however, doesn't control enough votes in Parliament to scuttle a new government. Mr. Berlusconi's People of Freedom party is big enough to mount a serious challenge to a possible interim government.

　　So far, the party is divided over whether to support a new government or push for early elections. Transport Minister Altero Matteoli said the party will convene a meeting of its governing committee on Saturday to decide on the matter. "I will support the final decision taken by the governing committee," Mr. Matteoli said.