Talks begin on selecting Italian PM after Berlusconi resigns

Italy’s president today began sounding out parliamentary and party leaders on who should lead the government and help save the country from financial disaster following the resignation of Silvio Berlusconi.

Giorgio Napolitano has a day of back-to-back meetings as he seeks to establish whether economist Mario Monti, a highly respected former European Union competition commissioner, or another contender can garner enough support to form a government.

Mr Napolitano, who is head of state, received Senate President Renato Schifani at the presidential palace for talks this morning. Gianfranco Fini, a former Berlusconi ally who leads the lower Chamber of Deputies, immediately followed.

Mr Napolitano might be able to tap Mr Monti by this evening if enough backing is secured by his consultations. But some of Mr Berlusconi’s supporters and allies have balked at the prospects of a government led by Mr Monti.

Under pressure after days of poundings by the markets, which lost faith in the once charismatic leader, Mr Berlusconi resigned last night as promised, as soon as urgent anti-crisis measures won final approval in parliament.

Mr Berlusconi’s main coalition ally in 17 years of political dominance in Italy is the Northern League, which has made clear it wants early elections and will not back Mr Monti.

Several leaders in Mr Berlusconi’s own conservative party have openly said they either want the outgoing premier’s political heir, Angelino Alfano, or some Italian veteran politician like former premier Lamberto Dini.

Most centrists and centre-left parties in the opposition have pledged their support for a Monti government, saying he has the moral authority and economic know-how to implement the measures and finally start Italy on a path of long-delayed structural reforms of its flat economy.

Mr Napolitano unexpectedly propelled Mr Monti into the political limelight when he named him senator-for-life last week, putting the economist suddenly in parliament.

If Mr Napolitano sticks to his fast-paced schedule of consultations, Mr Berlusconi’s forces will have their chance to meet with him in the early evening, leaving enough time to tap Mr Monti or someone else to try to form the next government.

Italy faces severe pressure from the financial markets to have a government named by Monday morning when the work week resumes.