low growth in recent years . To take the helm , Monti needs the approval of the Italian Parliament , which is composed of multiple parties with diverse interests . Silvio Berlusconi 's People of Freedom party remains the strongest force in parliament , and Berlusconi has said he plans to remain active in it . Those diverse political interests and the pain of austerity measures could weigh heavily on Monti as he steers Italy through economically troubled waters . Some politicians in Italy have already called for elections to take place sooner than their scheduled time of spring 2013 . Italian party leaders spoke in support of the new prime minister designate on Italy 's senate TV after exiting deliberations with Monti on the composition of a new government . Antonio Di Pietro , leader of the Values Party , said his group is `` happy that the Berlusconi government could be replaced by the Monti government . '' His party will not block a Monti-led government , he said . But when asked specifically whether he would give Monti a vote of confidence , Di Pietro stressed that he would not answer until he learned more about Monti
Rome -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Mario Monti , the economist nominated to become Italy 's new prime minister , began talks with political leaders Monday to discuss forming a government . The 68-year-old 's talks with political parties will continue Tuesday . In comments after several meetings Monday , Monti said some of the delegations had discussed a `` temporal outlook '' for how long his government might last . The time for the government `` which I am trying to create is that period between today and the end of spring 2013 , '' he said , according to a CNN translation . At any time the parliament could dissolve his government `` because of lack of trust , '' he said . It is `` obvious '' that the task at hand is an emergency , and that to achieve economic growth and social equity `` should be the priorities , '' Monti said . The new prime minister designate will face an arduous task , as Italy has one of the highest national debts in Europe at â ‚ ¬ 1.9 trillion -LRB- $ 2.6 trillion -RRB- -- about 120 % of GDP -- and has seen