Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti handed in his resignation late Friday to President Giorgio Napolitano, paving the way for likely elections in February, dpa reported.
Monti waited for parliamentary approval of the 2013 budget, which came in the afternoon. He then chaired a final cabinet before meeting President Giorgio Napolitano to hand in his resignation.
Napolitano said he would consult political leaders on Saturday, before his expected decision to dissolve parliament. Earlier this week, he said elections would likely take place on February 24.
Monti, who took over from scandal-prone Berlusconi at the height of a financial crisis in November 2011, said that his 13 months in office had been "difficult but fascinating."
He joked that it was "not the fault of the Mayan prophecy" that his government was coming to an end on December 21 - doomsday according to predictions by the ancient civilization.
It is still unclear what role Monti will play in the elections.
He was sworn in as a non-partisan economist at the helm of a technocratic government. Now he is being tipped as the head of a centrist coalition featuring Ferrari boss Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, rebels from Berlusconi's camp and Christian democrats.
Having already been appointed a life senator, Monti is not expected to run for a parliament seat, but could enter the contest as a prime ministerial candidate.
The 69-year-old is expected to clarify his plans at a press conference on Sunday.