Italy: April 9 should be date for Italian elections, Berlusconi says

Premier Silvio Berlusconi said on Tuesday that parliamentary elections should be held on April 9, as suggested by his challenger for the premiership, Romano Prodi.

"It seems to me that, as confirmed by the interior minister, that parliamentary elections should be held on April 9, and local elections by May," Berlusconi told reporters at his Rome residence.

On Monday, Prodi suggested that the national vote be held on that date. Prodi, who heads a center-left coalition, received a wide mandate in Sunday's primary to challenge Berlusconi in the balloting.

Elections are due by late spring, when Parliament's five-year term expires. The date of the vote has to be set by the Italian president. A.M.