The fate of Alitalia was a source of disagreement in Silvio Berlusconi’s centre-right coalition even before it took office on Thursday with Giulio Tremonti, the new finance minister, opposed to the prime minister’s rejection of a takeover bid by Air France-KLM.

According to sources involved with the Italian flag carrier’s future, Mr Tremonti would like to revive Air France-KLM’s former interest.