Pressure is mounting on politicians in Italy to outline their plans when Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi steps down as promised.
Meanwhile Brussels warns that Rome is failing to meet its economic targets.
The International Monetary Fund has called for "political clarity" while the European Commission says Italy's economic forecasts are wrong and high borrowing costs will hit the economy within months.
Former European Commissioner Mario Monti has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Mr Berlusconi, 75, after a parliamentary revolt forced him to announce he would resign when a package of economic reforms is adopted.
But Mr Monti's nomination is far from a done deal as leaders of Mr Berlusconi's coalition, as well as a small opposition party, insist that parliament should be dissolved and early elections called.