Berlusconi 'open to early election talks'

Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi said he would consider calling early general elections after his conservative coalition suffered a stinging defeat in regional ballots this week, reports said.

Berlusconi said last night he was ready to discuss with his coalition partners whether to call for early elections in October, but added that he would prefer his government to serve until the end of its term in mid-2006, news agencies ANSA and Apcom reported.