Brussels, 15/04/2008 (Agence Europe) - Silvio Berlusconi, the winner of Italy's general election, announced on Tuesday 15 April on the radio that he would present the list of his government “during the week” with Franco Frattini, former European Commissioner for Justice and Home Affairs, as foreign minister. Mr Frattini, who had taken leave from his duties until 15 April (midnight) to take part in the legislative elections, is therefore expected to leave his post at the Commission in the very near future. “Consultation is under way at the moment and I am not able to give details”, the spokesman for the European Commission, Johannes Laitenberger, said Tuesday midday on the subject of Mr Frattini's expected replacement. Mr Frattini's succession will be on the agenda once he has officially given his resignation, Mr Laitenberger simply said. At the time of going to press, it was a question of extending Mr Frattini's leave by “a few days” in order to allow the new president of the Italian Council time to propose a new candidate for the post. During this time, Jacques Barrot, Transport Commissioner, will be standing in. The latter should therefore represent the Commission during the meeting of EU justice and home ministers scheduled for Friday 18 April, in Luxembourg. At the present time, it is still not certain who will be replacing Mr Frattini, but the name of Antonio Tajani, the co-founder of Forza Italia, is doing the rounds. Mr Frattini's successor is to be approved by the European Parliament. (B.C.)