During his tenure voters have approved tax increases for an expansion of the light-rail transport system (2004), a new justice centre (2005), and a voucher programme for pre-school education (2006).

ECONOMIST: Paying for a changing city

However, a dispute with his right-wing coalition partners from the Northern League Party, as well as an indictment for alleged tax fraud, ended Berlusconi's tenure in the job after barely seven months.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

He started in the position in August, 2009, and his short tenure has been crowded with aggressive prosecutions of terrorism, Medicare fraud, illegal tax shelters, and public corruption.

NEWYORKER: A Dirty Business