Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Saturday formed a new government, ending weeks of political turmoil.

In a list presented to President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, Berlusconi named new ministers of communications, health, industry and culture. Berlusconi also chose former Economy Minister Giulio Tremonti as deputy prime minister and kept Gianfranco Fini as foreign minister. Berlusconi and his new government will be sworn in laterin the day.

The prime minister handed in his resignation Wednesday and pledged to quickly form a new government to tackle the worst political crisis in his four-year tenure.

His resignation was aimed at appeasing disgruntled allies in his four-party coalition, who are pushing for a major policy overhaul following the center right's crushing defeat in local elections this month. With the reinstituted government, Berlusconi is trying to woo back voters before general elections slated for May 2006.

Source: Xinhua