Italy's Parliamentary Elections Planned For Feb 24-25

Italy's President Giorgio Napolitano dissolved the country's parliament Saturday in the wake of caretaker Prime Minister Mario Monti's resignation Friday.

Monti may continue to function as the interim prime minister until the parliamentary elections, which have been scheduled for Feb. 24-25, according to BBC News.

Monti was tapped to head a technocratic government last year, and his previously announced resignation became effective Friday once the parliament approved his budget.

He announced his intention to resign Dec. 8 after former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's center-right political party withdrew its support.

Monti may or may not pursue the premiership -- an announcement is anticipated Sunday -- but Berlusconi definitely will be running for the post.

However, public-opinion polls indicate Pier Luigi Bersani's center-left political alliance would likely beat either of them were the elections conducted now, BBC News reported.