Italy ? Media billionaire Silvio Berlusconi won a decisive victory Monday in Italy’s parliamentary election, setting the colorful conservative and staunch U.S. ally on course to his third stint 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.

“I’m moved. I feel a great responsibility,” he said in a phone call to RAI public television while monitoring election results at his villa outside Milan. Italian news agencies said he had a private dinner with key aides.

Berlusconi capitalized on discontent over Italy’s stagnating economy and the unpopularity of Romano Prodi’s government.