DHAKA: Florence mayor Matteo Renzi is poised to win the nomination to become Italy`s youngest-ever prime minister after Enrico Letta was forced to resign by their centre-left Democratic Party.

President Giorgio Napolitano held a day of formal consultations with political leaders on Saturday that proved more complicated than expected and analysts said Renzi could be asked to form a new government only on Monday.

"A happy ending is not guaranteed," said Angelino Alfano, leader of the New Centre-Right party, a minor partner in the current coalition whose votes could prove crucial to the formation of a Renzi government.

"We can`t finish in 48 hours," Alfano said after meeting with Napolitano, adding that he would refuse to ally with Renzi if the government proved "too leftist" and would then push for early elections.

Nichi Vendola, leader of the opposition Left, Ecology and Liberty party, ruled out taking part in a Renzi coalition and said the new government would be tainted with the "original sin" of Renzi`s underhand tactics.

The anti-establishment Five Star Movement, meanwhile, protested at what it called an undemocratic power grab by Renzi and boycotted the talks, saying Italians should be allowed to choose through elections.

Source: Al-Jazeera

BDST: 0844 HRS, FEB 16, 2014