Rome  -  Italian prime minister-elect Silvio Berlusconi began talks Wednesday with his main allies to discuss the composition of his cabinet.

"We will have half the number compared with the outgoing government (of centre-left Prime Minister Romano Prodi) - a total of 60 members including ministers, deputy ministers and under- secretaries," Berlusconi said.

He was speaking ahead of the meeting which began shortly after midday in his private residence in Rome, Palazzo Grazioli.

Those attending included the leader of the anti-immigration Northern League, Umberto Bossi, and that of the post-fascist National Alliance, Gianfranco Fini, whose party merged with Berlusconi's People of Freedom for the elections.

Berlusconi's centre-right coalition triumphed in polls held Sunday and Monday, emerging with a clear majority in both houses of parliament - the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.

But observers say that the Northern League's strong showing in the elections, means it will have the power to influence future government policy.

Berlusconi has said he plans to appoint 12 ministers in his government, including "at least" four women.

He has also tapped the European Union's current top justice official, Franco Frattini, as possible foreign minister - a position Frattini held in 2002-2004 under a previous centre-right government.

The billionaire-turned-politician politician also said he intends to include in his cabinet Giulio Tremonti, who acted as economy minister in previous Berlusconi governments.

According to Italian media reports, a likely female candidate as justice minister is lawyer Giulia Bongiorno, a member of former prime minister Giulio Andreotti's defence team in several Mafia-related trials.

The National Alliance's Ignazio La Russa was also being touted as possible defence minister. His party leader, Fini, was tipped as speaker of parliament.

Berlusconi has said clearing piles of rubbish from the streets of Naples will be his government's first priority.

He also said the first cabinet meeting, once the new government has been sworn in, will be held in the southern port city.

Both houses of the newly elected parliament need to convene and choose their relative speakers, before President Giorgio Napolitano, Italy's head-of-state, can formally ask Berlusconi to form a government.

The new government will then need to face a vote of confidence in parliament. (dpa)