Italy's former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi shakes hands with European Parliament President Antonio Tajani | Sebastien Bozon/AFP via Getty Images Antonio Tajani agrees to be Forza Italia’s prime ministerial candidate European Parliament president said he had accepted Silvio Berlusconi’s invitation.

European Parliament President Antonio Tajani on Thursday night announced he had accepted Silvio Berlusconi’s proposal to be Forza Italia's prime ministerial candidate ahead of Sunday's Italian election.

"I thank President Berlusconi for his act of esteem towards me," tweeted Tajani, a co-founder of the party. "I gave him, tonight, my willingness to serve Italy."

Berlusconi, who is leading Forza Italia into Sunday’s election but is currently barred from holding public office due to a tax fraud conviction, had said on Tuesday that Tajani was his preferred candidate for prime minister, but was waiting for the European Parliament president's “go-ahead.”

According to Reuters, Berlusconi welcomed Tajani’s acceptance on a talk show on one of his own TV channels, saying: “I know it’s a shame to take Antonio Tajani away from Europe, but it’s in the best interest of Italy."

Ringrazio Il Presidente Berlusconi per il suo atto di stima nei miei confronti.Ho dato a lui,stasera,la mia disponibilità a servire l’Italia.Ora ogni ulteriore decisione spetta ai nostri concittadini ed al Presidente della Repubblica — Antonio Tajani (@Antonio_Tajani) March 1, 2018