Italy elects parliament speakers, but alliances for gov't still unclear (2)

"We will not be the crutch of anyone," said the M5S's leader in the Senate, Vito Crimi, in line with the movement's closure over the past days to any attempt to reach an agreement over a coalition government.

The M5S has brought to parliament 163 inexperienced lawmakers who exhibit their honesty as a point of pride, gaining a decisive role in preventing the center-left from solidifying a majority.

After appointing the speakers, the parliament's first task will be paving the way for President Giorgio Napolitano, whose seven-year mandate expires in May, to start formal consultations on Wednesday for forming a government.

Debate was high over possible alliances between the political forces. But though a parliamentary leadership has been decided, the risk was high that any executive that takes power will be unstable, according to local observers.

An early return to vote was also an alternative that is likely to deepen uncertainty and stoke fears within the international community that Europe's third largest economy may not be able to address its economic and social crisis.