Crude rose in Asia today as markets welcomed the Italian Prime Minister Mr Silvio Berlusconi’s announcement that he would resign after Rome adopted key reforms later this month, analysts said.
New York’s main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in December, gained 36 cents to $97.16 per barrel. Brent North Sea crude for December delivery advanced 53 cents to $115.53.
Crude markets were lifted by Mr Berlusconi’s announcement late yesterday that he would step down after reforms aimed at stabilising Italy’s debt-mired economy was passed later in the month, Phillip Futures said in a report.
“News that Italy’s Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is to resign following approval of a new budget deal sparked a rally,” it stated.
Mr Berlusconi made the announcement after appearing shocked at the results of a parliamentary vote on Italy’s 2010 public accounts which saw his coalition lose its majority.
The premier had long dismissed warnings from the European Union (EU) and critics at home about Rome’s ailing finances, but with his third term winding up, he admitted that it was time to “show the markets that we are serious’’.
Italy has been on the ropes since last week when the government agreed to special surveillance from the International Monetary Fund and the EU to ensure that it was meeting crucial targets to cut its massive debt.
The first EU experts are set to begin work in Italy today.