Italy's outgoing government of Prime Minister Romano Prodi on Wednesday scheduled new elections for April 13-14 - a move which sets the stage for the return to power of billionaire businessman Silvio Berlusconi, according to dpa. The decision to call the elections followed an earlier announcement by Italian President Giorgio Napolitano to dissolve parliament. Prodi, who resigned on January 24 when his centre-left government lost a Parliament confidence vote, said he would not stand as a candidate in the new polls. "I made my decision in the hope that it will contribute to a more serene atmosphere," during the election campaign, said Prodi whose cabinet was torn apart by defections.
