Sunday and Monday's hard-fought general elections are just the first stage in one of the busiest political periods in Italian history.

This week's poll will be followed by local elections in many areas and a referendum on a devolution law proposed by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's government.

Meanwhile, Italy's new parliament will have to decide a number of issues, including the election of new Lower House and Senate speakers and party whips, as well as a successor for President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi whose mandate expires in May.

The following dates mark the key moments in the approaching shake-up of the Italian political landscape:

-- On April 28, the new House and Senate gather in Rome for the first session of Italy's 15th legislature.

The chambers elect the new Lower House and Senate speakers. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi should still be in power at this point. But traditionally, the outgoing prime minister hands in his official resignation on the same day.

-- On May 2-3, the new MPs announce the final division of their parliamentary groups, and then elect their respective parliamentary whips.

-- On May 11-12, the Lower House and Senate meet in a joint session of parliament to start the often lengthy process of voting for the next president. A two thirds majority is needed, meaning that a head of state cannot be chosen by ruling parties alone.

-- On May 18, Ciampi's seven-year mandate officially expires. His successor must be decided before this date, although there is speculation that Ciampi may agree to a second term or to an extension of his mandate.

-- On May 18-31, the new head of state formally appoint Italy's 56th post-war government, after which the Lower House and Senate must approve the line-up.

-- On May 28-29, eight provinces and 1,267 towns vote in local assembly and council elections. About a third of the national electorate, 14.9 million people, take part in the vote.

Italy's four biggest cities -- Rome, Milan, Turin and Naples -- are under the spotlight. Three of them are currently in the hands of the center-left coalition.

Sicilians vote for members of the Sicilian Regional Assembly.

Source: Xinhua