Italy's Union of Christian Democrats (UDC) Party has decided to withdraw from Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's cabinet.
The announcement was made by the European Affairs Minister, Rocco Buttiglione, earlier today.
The move was an apparent bid to make Mr Berlusconi resign and then form a new government with a new policy programme in the wake of a humbling defeat in regional elections earlier this month.
Mr Berlusconi, who is determined to serve a full five years in office, has said he would not accept a major overhaul of his government which was formed in 2001.
The party said it would continue to support Berlusconi's government in parliament.
The UDC is not the only party in the coalition demanding change. Gianfranco Fini, the cabinet's other deputy premier and leader of the key National Alliance (AN), has demanded that the Mr Berlusconi face a vote of confidence.
