Italian interim Prime Minister Mario Monti leaves his hotel for a meeting with President Giorgio Napolitano.
He was expected to unveil Italy's new government after two days of consultations aimed at staving off the country's financial crisis.
On the streets of Rome, people await news of their new government with mixed feelings.
(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) ROME RESIDENT DARIO SANGIULIANO :
"I hope that he will come up with good measures and govern Italy well."
(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) ROME RESIDENT PIERO SCIASCIA:
"We hope for the best but it looks hard. Without the inclusion of real politicians it will be short-lived."
(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) ROME RESIDENT GIUSEPPE LUCATI:
"I think Berlusconi was wrong to resign because everyone's now trying to get to a position of power. I'm not a fan of the technical government."
The President of the Italian Institute of Statistics says the road ahead is a difficult one.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PRESIDENT OF THE ITALIAN INSTITUTE OF STATISTICS (ISTAT) ENRICO GIOVANNINI:
"Well, I am sure that Mario Monti is highly regarded internationally but that is not enough because we need really to take tough decisions, not only on the public finance but also on the industrial policy, on the equities, for example, the tax evasion policy."
Monti must push through a tough austerity programme demanded by E.U. leaders to reduce Italy's debt.
Before the end of the week, the new government is expected to outline its programme and seek confidence votes from parliament, which will formally invest it with power.
Nick Rowlands, Reuters.
