Berlusconi has resigned as prime minister; Napolitano will start consultations to appoint his successor on Sunday.

The presidential palace informed that the President of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, met with prime minister Silvio Berlusconi at 9pm in his residence.

As expected, following the approval of the new economic reform package and the report on the 2010 budget, Berlusconi tendered his resignation as prime minister.

Napolitano thanked him for his cooperation and formally asked the outgoing government to remain in office for the time being to deal with current affairs.