In another setback, the company reported that the chairman of its supervisory board, Nickolaus Becker, has resigned over the deal, according to the newswire AP.

BBC: EM.TV rescue deal wobbles

In another setback for Nokia Corp.

WSJ: Nokia Cancels U.S. Launch of X7 Phone

In another potential setback for Mr Berlusconi, an interview with him that was due to go out on Rai TV's main evening news was replaced by his successor's live news conference, La Repubblica newspaper reported.

BBC: Mario Monti to lead Italy centrist coalition