SVT's Jennifer Wegerup on the political crisis in Italy: "Anything can happen"

Italy's political parties will have until Tuesday to agree on a new government. It announced Thursday the country's president Sergio Mattarella.

What does this mean?

- This means, in particular, that many people want to avoid new elections, including President Sergio Mattarella, the Italian Social Democrats and the Five Star Movement. Those who want new elections are Lega, Forza Italia and Italy's brothers (the party). Lega believes that the people have to say their own, while the others want to stop Lega from taking power, says SVT's Italian correspondent Jennifer Wegerup.

How likely are you to agree on Tuesday?

- It's a good question because it commutes a little from hour to hour, both when you hear political judges here in Italy and the party leaders themselves. Sometimes it sounds like it will definitely be a deal as the strong will is there and at the next moment they say that they are far apart on some crucial points.

- Many believe that they will try to form a government, but it could also clash during the weekend negotiations. The parties are also divided internally.

How are Italian politics, they very often have new elections?

- It has always been so, the next government will be the 67th since the Second World War. There are an incredible number of governments and this is because there is a parliamentary system that calls for coalition governments. That may be a good thing, but it also makes governments unstable. Italy's economy has been bad for a long time and now the EU has its eyes on the budget this fall so it is clear that it is in a troubled position in the country.

- That is why Sergio Mattarella says that the government that one might succeed in forming must become a strong and stable government that can hold. He does not want to see a government that is just about stopping Lega and Salvini, then it is better to have a new election. Everything can still happen.