In sharp contrast to the widespread anti-American sentiment common to leaders in the EU, Berlusconi quickly declared himself proud to be considered a friend and partner of the United States. That's only part of his lack of orthodoxy. Having made his wealth in the media industry, he is inclined to an entrepreneur's philosophy and is a natural enemy of big government.

His campaign promises included: cut taxes, reduce Italy's bloated government, fight crime, raise pensions, and-believe it or not-to resign from office if he fails to make good on the majority of these promises!

They may be difficult to meet, considering the fact that Italy's debt-to-GDP ratio is 110 percent. This ratio runs more than twice the standard the EU members have agreed upon.

Needless to say, Berlusconi's business-friendly approach is unpopular with the socialists in his country as well as in the rest of the EU. However, his mandate-if he can continue to hold to power for a significant portion of his five-year term-positions him to deliver on his word. Because he is philosophically more in line with the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain and Austria, he would conceivably align Italy with them, which portends a potential slowdown in the German-led push for a federated Europe.

Neither Berlusconi nor Italy is to be taken lightly. He is the fifth-richest man in Europe. Richard Chesnoff of the New York Daily News compares his election to sending a combination of Rupert Murdoch and Bill Gates to the White House. Italy's economy is larger than those of Britain and France, second only to Germany's. Moreover, Italy's economy is the fifth largest in the world.

Of course, one does not achieve such a measure of success without acquiring enemies along the way. Opponents within the country accuse Berlusconi of corruption. And it's not hard to imagine that political rivals in the EU will encourage any potential fractures in the five parties that constitute his parliamentary partnership.

Nonetheless, Italy's prime minister-elect brings a new dimension to the European equation.

Sources: Stratfor, New York Daily News, Eric Margolis.