Silvio Berlusconi Resignation: A Rocky Career (TIMELINE)

Silvio Berlusconi announced on Tuesday he will resign as prime minister of Italy, as soon as the country's parliament passes an economic reform program demanded by the European Union. According to the Associated Press, that vote is scheduled next week.

Rumors of Berlusconi's departure were circulated by the press on Monday and Tuesday, as an increasing number of Italian politicians publicly called for the prime minister's resignation. Leading up to a scheduled budget vote, Berlusconi's coalition partner Umberto Bossi of the Northern League urged the PM to step down. "We asked him to step aside," Bossi said, according to the Associated Press.

Berlusconi won Tuesday's vote, yet lost his majority in parliament. After an hour-long meeting with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, the embattled PM promised to resign. "Things like who leads or who doesn't lead the government" is less important than doing "what is best for the country," Berlusconi was quoted by the Associated Press.

Berlusconi, a 75-year old billionaire, was Italy's longest serving prime minister. At the time of his resignation he was serving his third term in office, a chapter of his political career that was characterized by sexual and financial scandals, lawsuits, police investigations, a divorce and multiple votes of confidence.

Take a look back at some key moments in Berlusconi's rocky political career. Captions courtesy of the Associated Press.