Berlusconi 'will resign to make way for Prodi government'

Romano Prodi won his first parliamentary battle today when his candidates were elected speakers of the two houses of parliament, despite a bitterly fought race that indicated his centre-left coalition’s difficulty in controlling the Senate.

Hours later, Italian news agencies ANSA and Apcom reported that outgoing Premier Silvio Berlusconi said he would resign on Tuesday, clearing the way for a Prodi government.