Italy's current political deadlock and the uncertainty surrounding the formation of a new government has caused concern throughout Europe, especially following the recent banking crisis in Cyprus. Pier Luigi Bersani, the leader of the center-left party, won the majority in the lower house of parliament but not in the Senate. He is unable to govern without support from other parties, but so far there has been no indication of a possible alliance with either Silvio Berlusconi's center-right alliance or Beppe Grillo's 5-Star Movement. If no agreement can be reached, Italy may face a period under a caretaker government before heading back to elections. Despite the challenges, Bersani is proposing a limited package of reforms focused on fighting corruption and creating jobs in hopes of gaining support from the 5-Star Movement. Italy, facing a deep recession, record unemployment, and a high public debt, cannot afford a prolonged political crisis. The current climate of hostility between the parties has made cooperation difficult, with Berlusconi even demanding the right to name the next president in exchange for his support. The future of Italy's government remains uncertain as tensions and disagreements continue to rise.