ROME -- Italian President Sergio Mattarella dissolved the parliament on Thursday, clearing the way towards general elections in March 2018.

The end of the legislature was expected, after Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni earlier on Thursday declared fulfillment of his cabinet's political mandate.

The dissolution of the Italian parliament -- whose five-year term begun in March 2013 -- was a due step in order for the government to set the date for new elections.

After the announcement, the outgoing cabinet gathered in late afternoon, and set the election date on March 4, as widely expected.

Holding a traditional end-year press conference in the morning, Gentiloni explained that his cabinet achieved the crucial goal of "bringing the legislature to an orderly end".

The outgoing prime minister also claimed his government -- and the whole legislature, which saw three center-left cabinets coming in succession -- brought about good results.

"Italy has recovered from its worst (economic) crisis since after World War II, also thanks to the efforts of Italian families and businesses," Gentiloni stressed.

"Our growth keeps now a solid pace, the double of what was expected at the beginning of the year."