Italy's center-right Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and the center-left opposition leader Romano Prodi on Thursday continued their election campaigns ahead of the general election scheduled for Sunday and Monday.

According to most surveys of Italians' voting intentions, Prodi had an advantage of 4 percent over Berlusconi. But one study also found that 24 percent of the voters had still not made up their mind.

After a television debate between Berlusconi and Prodi Monday night, both the leaders vowed they would win the general election.

In a final appeal to voters during the TV debate, Berlusconi promised to abolish council taxes on first homes if his center-right alliance won the election.

Responding to Berlusconi's pledge, Prodi said, "I just want to hear what center-right mayors have to say about this." He added local councils would be forced to "close down" if the measure were put into practice.

Prodi's allies also said Berlusconi's promise was a "desperate" move of a man who had perceived defeat in the upcoming election because of his mishandling of the economy over the last five years.

Meanwhile, Berlusconi accused Prodi of being a "front man" or "useful idiot" for the center-left alliance.

In reaction to the exchange of accusation between Berlusconi and Prodi, some interviewed voters said they were dissatisfied with both contestants, adding that they would rather prefer another candidate if possible.

Some analysts say what Italy needs most, after the general election on Sunday and Monday, is a strong government with a clear parliamentary majority that can implement economic reforms.

Political analysts say they expect that the new government will be formed by late April or early May, close to April 28 when the new parliament is due to meet.

Source: Xinhua