Prodi resigned on Wednesday after he lost a vote on foreign policy in the upper house of parliament, the Senate, plunging the country into political uncertainty.

He must now win a vote in both chambers of parliament to show that he has enough support to govern. The votes are likely to be held next week.

"I will go to parliament as soon as possible, with the support of a cohesive coalition determined to help the country at this difficult stage and speed up the economic recovery under way," Prodi said, thanking the president for his support.