ROME: Outgoing Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti urged compatriots late Tuesday to "rise up" and commit to renewing national politics, in a further sign he would remain on the political stage.
"Together we have saved Italy from catastrophe," Monti said in comments which referred to the country's improved financial position, the result of economic reforms and support from the European Central Bank.
"Now we must renew politics.
There is no point in complaining, we must commit ourselves. 'Rise up' in politics," the technocratic Italian premier wrote.
Monti announced on Friday that he would step down after 13 months at the head of an unelected team of technocrats that was appointed to steer Italy out of a financial crisis that could have had dire consequences for the entire 17-nation eurozone.
The tweeted comments late on Tuesday were a further signal that Monti, a former European commissioner dubbed "The Professor," would remain in the fray as Italy prepares to elect a new parliament.
As an Italian senator for life, the former premier cannot himself run for office, but is in a position to be renamed prime minister if a party or coalition that he supports wins the vote on February 24-25.
Monti said on Friday: "If one or more political forces adhere to my agenda and put forward the idea of proposing me for the post of premier, I would weigh the option."
That means allied political movements could include his name as a candidate for the post when they submit electoral lists on February 11-12.
Monti is seen as a recourse to prevent scandal-tainted former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi from returning to power and undoing hard-won reforms.
The "Monti Agenda" proposes to cut public funds for political parties and parliamentary groups, and also includes measures to make more room for women and environmental issues.
By remaining indirectly in the race, Monti could bar the route for Berlusconi, who is running for the premiership for the sixth time in 18 years, but who is now isolated on the right side of the political spectrum with support from anti-tax and anti-euro factions.
Analysts currently expect Pier Luigi Bersani of the centre-left Democratic Party to be named prime minister, and to then appoint Monti as a "super economy minister."
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