The head of the Future and Freedom (FLI) party, Gianfranco Fini tweeted that the Monti coalition opened up a "prospect of renewal" while Christian Democrat leader Pierferdinando Casini said it was not so much "a personal party but a hope for Italians".

BBC: Mario Monti to lead Italy centrist coalition

Future and Freedom for Italy (FLI), the fledgling political party Mr Fini launched only months ago, split in two, sending votes back to Mr Berlusconi.

BBC: Berlusconi survives, but Italy faces uncertain future

This has led to speculation that, should Mr Berlusconi fall, FLI might get together in parliament with centrist groups and the centre-left Democratic Party, a combination that would enjoy a slim majority, to support a technocratic administration.

ECONOMIST: A lively August for Italy��s politicians