Where Italy to go: Monti resignation stokes fears (4)

Attention was focused on whether Monti might enter politics himself after he was quoted in an interview with La Repubblica national daily as saying that he had not yet made up his mind but was "very concerned" by the situation.

However, most local experts agreed that the step back was the only possible choice of "great dignity" in line with the responsible policies carried out by the Monti government, as highlighted by Elio Veltri, a politician and writer.

Veltri said he did not think that the 69-year-old economist and former European commissioner, facing a political campaign that prepares to be "extremely harsh," would run for a second mandate.

Rather, he said, Monti could stay on in some capacity, either by endorsing one of the centrist forces that have backed his reforms, or possibly as Italy's president.

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