Italy's president began talks with political leaders today to discuss the formation of a new government following the end of Premier Romano Prodi's nine-month-old administration.

A top Italian court confirmed the slim electoral victory of centre-left leader Romano Prodi in the lower house of parliament, although premier Silvio Berlusconi’s conservative coalition was not conceding defeat.

A top Italian court tonight confirmed the slim electoral victory of centre-left leader Romano Prodi in the lower house of parliament, although was not conceding defeat.

Italian magistrates were today reviewing the last of a few thousand contested ballots in parliamentary elections held earlier this month, with the results widely expected to confirm the slim victory of centre-left leader Romano Prodi over Premier Silvio Berlusconi.

Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi stormed off the set of a state TV show today, branding the journalist interviewing him as a leftist, two days before a planned debate between the conservative leader and election challenger Romano Prodi.