Italy calls April election with Berlusconi in lead

Rome: Italy called a snap election for mid-April on Wednesday, heralding the possible return to power of media magnate Silvio Berlusconi who has a solid poll lead over the collapsed centre-left coalition.

Prime Minister Romano Prodi had resigned last month after his allies defected.

Attempts to set up an interim government failed and Berlusconi's calls for an immediate election prevailed.

"It is my regret today to have to call voters back to polling booths without those reforms having been approved," said President Giorgio Napolitano after he and Prodi, the now caretaker premier, signed a decree dissolving parliament three years ahead of schedule.

The cabinet met afterwards to set the date for voting as April 13-14, near local elections which could be brought forward to "reduce the cost and inconvenience", Prodi said.