Italy is set to usher in its first far-right government since World War II but the conservative alliance's three main parties face a daunting list of challenges.
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Here are some of the main potential sources of tension between Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy (FdI), Matteo Salvini's League and Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia.
EUROPE
* Brothers of Italy and the League have previously called for Italy to leave the euro zone, while Forza Italia presents itself as a moderate, pro-European force.
* Meloni and Salvini take aim at "Brussels bureaucrats" in their speeches but Meloni recently tried to recast FdI as a more moderate Conservative party, while Salvini remains more aggressive.
* The three parties all belong to different groups in the European Parliament: Forza Italia is in the European People's Party, FdI is with the Conservatives and Reformists and the League is in the Identity and Democracy group.
* When European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, answering a question about Italy, said last week the bloc had "tools" to deal with governments that do not respect EU values, Salvini denounced her comments as "shameful arrogance". Meloni was far more restrained, saying only that she urged von der Leyen to be "prudent".
UKRAINE
* Meloni has spoken out strongly in support of the tough line against Russia espoused by NATO and the EU, pledging to maintain Western sanctions and keep sending weapons to Kyiv.
* Berlusconi and Salvini have both frequently expressed their admiration of Putin. The League leader urged caution over sanctions while Berlusconi sparked outrage on Friday when he said Putin invaded Ukraine to install a government of "decent people".
BUDGET
* The new government's first task will be to draw up a 2023 budget. Salvini is calling for a 30 billion euro ($A44.5 billion) hike in the deficit to shield families and businesses from rising energy costs, but Meloni has opposed this, calling for "caution" with public finances.
* The allies each have their own fiscal proposals and some will have to be dropped to avoid blowing a hole in state accounts.
REVAMPING THE EU NATIONAL RECOVERY PLAN
* Brothers of Italy says the plan to invest more than 200 billion euros of European post-COVID recovery funds needs to be adjusted to new challenges arising from the war in Ukraine, including energy prices.
* Berlusconi said minor corrections might be possible, but it would be "illogical and dangerous" to ask for substantial revisions.
CITIZENS' INCOME
* The "citizens' income" poverty relief scheme introduced in 2019 could be a source of irritation. FdI's election manifesto calls for it to be "abolished", though in recent days Meloni has changed tack, saying it will be kept for "people unable to work". Forza Italia has called for it to be increased.
PERSONAL RIVALRIES
* Relations between Meloni and Salvini have been strained. Three years ago the League was polling at around 35 per cent with FdI in single figures. FdI is now the most popular party in Italy and support for the League has crumbled. If Salvini survives as party leader, he will have to counter Meloni's growing popularity. Meloni will also struggle to keep the 85-year-old, sometimes erratic Berlusconi in check.
REGIONAL AUTONOMY
* The League wants to give more powers to wealthy northern regions, where it has its strongholds, a move critics say would mean a 'secession of the rich'. Meloni has put the direct election of the head of state at the top of her agenda.
Australian Associated Press
