Continuing his efforts to find a successor to Premier Fernando Tambroni who resigned July 19, Italian President Gronchi received the three most likely candidates - Signori Amintore Fanfani; Mario Scelba; and Antonio Segni - at the Quirinal Palace, Rome, July 22. All have previously held the post of President of the Council.

Strong favourite to form a much needed Government is Signor Fanfani, leader of the Christian Democratic Party's left-wing group. He is expected to head a "middle-of-the-road" Government with the support of the Soviet Democrats, the Republicans and the conservative Liberal Party, who have agreed to co-operate and give the country a Government independent of the 24 neo-fascist Parliament members.

Tambroni's five-month old Government resigned following wide-spread demonstrations in protest against the slender majority given to it by the support of the neo-fascist faction.