ROME, Feb. 11 (Xinhuanet) -- Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi signed a decree that formally dissolved the parliament on Friday, paving the way for the general elections scheduled for April 9.

    Ciampi signed the decree after meeting speakers of both houses of the parliament, the president's office said.

    The closure of parliament, which came two weeks later than originally planned, has allowed Premier Silvio Berlusconi to rush through a flurry of television appearances.

    Ciampi's act, a formality prescribed by the constitution, limits the presence of politicians on television and prescribes that air-time be distributed equally among all parties.

    Berlusconi, who asked Ciampi for the parliamentary extension in January, has denied press reports of a clash over dates between himself and the head of state.

    The centre-left opposition, led by Romano Prodi, a former premier and former European Commission president, is holding a five-point lead over Berlusconi's ruling House of Freedoms alliance, according to recent polls.

    Prodi has attacked Berlusconi over the postponement, calling it"irresponsible" and argued that the premier's real motive has been a desire to gain more television exposure prior to the election campaign. Enditem