Italy's centre-left opposition chief criticised Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Monday for planning to compete in European parliamentary elections in June instead of "working day and night" to resolve the recession.

Centre-right leader Berlusconi announced at his People of Freedom party's congress this weekend that he would head its list for the European parliament vote, then resign his seat immediately afterwards to continue being Italy's premier.

"He is the only head of government in the world who in coming months, instead of working day and night to resolve the problems of families and companies, will be campaigning for votes," said Democratic Party leader Dario Franceschini.

"Can you imagine any other country where Sarkozy or Angela Merkel or Brown or Zapatero head their party's lists for the European elections?" the new PD leader Franceschini asked at a meeting with foreign correspondents in Rome.

"He challenged me to stand as well. But I will not be a candidate," said Franceschini, whose party currently lies some 20 points behind the PDL according to recent polls.