Berlusconi cancels meeting with Spain's foreign minister

Italian leader Silvio Berlusconi has postponed a meeting with the Spanish Foreign Minister following the resignation of his own foreign minister. The meeting with Josep Pique had been scheduled for today before the surprise departure of Renato Ruggiero last week-end. Berlusconi has announced he is taking on Ruggiero's position for the next six months. Pique, whose country holds the rotating European Union presidency, was due to pass through Rome as part of a broader regional visit. But Berlusconi is not likely to set any meetings in his new capacity until he has rearranged his workload, probably next week. "The internal policies of the Italian government are none of our business", said Pique. "What matters is the attitude of each member and of the Italian government, which should show explicit support for the euro, and I hope the prime minister will guarantee this." Berlusconi also faces pressure at home for his policies, which prompted the pro-Europe Ruggiero to resign. Italy's opposition centre-left led by Francesco Rutelli has been demonstrating outside the town hall, angered by Berlusconi's decision to hold the foreign affairs portfolio for himself, a move which gives even more power to a man who already owns Italy's largest media empire.