US friend Berlusconi returned to power in Italy

Silvio Berlusconi (pictured) won a decisive victory last week in Italy's parliamentary election.

The conservative media billionaire returns to power as premier.

The victory in voting Sunday and Monday by parties supporting the 71- year-old Berlusconi avenged his loss two years ago to a center-left coalition.

Berlusconi once said he agreed with the United States regardless of Washington's position. He calls President Bush a friend, and his return to power is lkely to make relations with Washington warmer, no matter who becomes the next American president.

Berlusconi is the fourth conservative world leader to be elected in the last three years. All four are friends of the United States. All four replaced leaders who had contentious relationships with the U.S.

Angela Merkel defeated Gerhard Schröder as Chancellor of Germany in 2005.

Stephen Harper defeated Paul Martin as prime Minister of Canada in 2006.

Nicolas Sarkozy was elected President of France in 2007 replacing Jacques Chirac who retired.

Link to the Berlusconi story here