Italy’s President dissolved Parliament on Saturday following Premier Mario Monti’s resignation, formally setting the stage for general elections in February in which Mr. Monti’s participation remains unclear.
President Giorgio Napolitano signed the decree on Saturday after consulting with political leaders.
Mr. Monti, appointed 13 months ago to steer Italy from a Greek-style debt crisis, stepped down Friday after ex-Premier Silvio Berlusconi’s party withdrew its support for his technocratic government.
Small centrist parties have been courting Mr. Monti, but Italian newspapers say he is inclined to refuse. Polls indicate the centre-left Democratic Party will win the vote. A Monti-led ticket could deprive the Democrats of votes, but wouldn’t be expected to garner anything near a majority.
