A construction and newspaper magnate, Caltagirone is Generali's second-biggest investor with an 8.04% stake.

In September Caltagirone struck an accord with Generali's third-largest investor, the eyewear billionaire Leonardo Del Vecchio, and with smaller shareholder CRT to oppose the reappointment of Generali CEO Philippe Donnet.

Donnet is backed by Generali's leading investor Mediobanca and a majority of board members.

The consultation pact represents a combined stake of more than 16%.

(Reporting by Claudia Cristoferi, writing by Maria Pia Quaglia, editing by Agnieszka Flak)