'Finally, an Italian woman PM'

Leading newspapers in Italy exulted over the win of 'Italian' Sonia Gandhi in India's general elections, report agencies

"Sonia Gandhi: an Italian triumphs in India," headlined La Repubblica, a Leftist daily. "Against all expectations, there is now little doubt that the Italian from Orbassano will become India's next prime minister," it said.

 "Italian Sonia Gandhi triumphs," frontpaged Corriere della Sera, one of Italy's major dailies.  

"After becoming the undisputed leader of the party, Sonia Gandhi became the fifth member of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty to take up the reins of the Congress," it said.  

Sonia has "taken the place of Indira Gandhi in the hearts of the deprived masses," and India's "economic miracle didn't save Vajpayee,"  said La Stampa.

"Italy is celebrating what could be its first woman prime minister... albeit, prime minister of India," said the BBC.

"Finally - an Italian woman as prime minister," it quoted Margherita Boniver of the Italian foreign ministry as joking.