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Creating a new Italian governmentNEW: Silvio Berlusconi's party calls meetings with Mario Monti "positive"Monti is trying to round up political support to become prime ministerBerlusconi resigned over the weekend in the face of a debt crisisHe is the second European leader to fall this month over the crisis
Rome (CNN) -- The man tapped to haul Italy out of its debt crisis got the backing of outgoing Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's political party Tuesday as he tries to round up political support.
Angelino Alfano, the head of Berlusconi's People of Freedom party, called his meeting with prime minister-designate Mario Monti "positive" and said he thought Monti's effort to form a new government "is destined to be successful."
Monti could go to the president to say he is ready to take office as early as Tuesday night.
Berlusconi resigned Saturday night, prompting cheers, flag-waving and singing in celebrations outside his office, and ending an era in Italian politics.
He was brought down by difficulties in pushing through budget cuts after 18 years in and out of the prime minister's office.
Monti, a 68-year-old former European commissioner, began talks with political leaders Monday to discuss forming a government.
On Tuesday, he is talking to unions, business leaders and women's groups, in addition to Berlusconi's party.
The head of Italy's largest left-wing party, Luigi Bersani, met Monti earlier Tuesday and promised his support.
Monti suggested Monday that his government might not last much longer than a year.
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.
That is when the next elections are scheduled to take place.
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 prime minister designate will face an arduous task, as Italy has one of the highest national debts in Europe at €1.9 trillion ($2.6 trillion) -- about 120% of GDP -- and has seen 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.
Berlusconi's People of Freedom party remains the strongest force in parliament, and Berlusconi has said he plans to remain active in it.
Berlusconi is the second prime minister to resign this month over the debt crisis sweeping across Europe. Greece's George Papandreou was replaced Wednesday by Lucas Papademos, a former European Central Bank official.
CNN's Matthew Chance, Laura Smith-Spark and Zain Verjee and the CNNMoney staff contributed to this report.
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