Italy election confirmed for April 9-10

ROME - Italy's general election will be held, as planned, on April 9 and 10, the president's office has said.

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said earlier this week that the poll could be postponed until May to give the government more time to push through last-minute legislation.

President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi said he would delay dissolving parliament -- which was due to happen this weekend -- until February 11, apparently accepting Berlusconi's request for more time to complete legislative business.

But he said the April election date could not be put back due to "constitutional requirements". Ciampi's mandate as head of state ends in May and a new parliament will have to elect a replacement.

- REUTERS