The sale by the government of a stake Poste Italiane will take place as part of a broader "reorganization of public shareholdings", the economy ministry said in a statement on Friday.
The government will decide when to sell a share in the postal, financial and telecommunications services company and how much to sell "'without haste on the basis of market conditions", for the best result for the public and with respect for small shareholders, the statement added.
The operation will be part of efforts to "bring order" to public shareholdings, in which the government will assess whether to dispose of some non-essential assets, sell shares in other companies while retaining control if they are deemed to be best strategic or even to increase the shares in its possession.
The aim is to increase the efficiency of state holdings and to raise cash to reduce public debt.
Earlier in the day Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said the government needed to retain control of Poste Italiane and that its stake should not fall below 35%.
The economy ministry currently holds 29.26% and Cassa Depositi ePrestiti (CDP) 35% in the listed company.
In a letter addressed to Giorgetti and Poste Italiane CEO Matteo Del Fante on Friday, the trade union federations Cgil, Cisl and Uil asked the government for an "urgent" meeting on the planned sale of a further stake in the group.
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