Italian PM Enrico Letta to tender resignation on Friday

Italian prime minister Enrico Letta said in a statement that he will tender his resignation.

Party leader Matteo Renzi had earlier called for a change of government at a party meeting, saying the country could not go on in "uncertainty".

Speculation has been rife that Renzi wants to take over as prime minister.

He is eight years younger than Letta and was elected leader of the party in December.

Letta said in a statement that his decision followed "the decision taken today by the national leadership of the Democratic Party".

He said he would formally submit his resignation to President Giorgio Napolitano at the presidential palace on Friday.