Italian European Commissioner Mr Mario Monti urged Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi today to clarify his policy on the EU and to restore order in his coalition to stop sound-bites that project "an image unworthy of Italy".
Mr Monti's carefully worded rebuke came in a statement commenting on the weekend resignation of pro-European Foreign Minister Mr Renato Ruggiero, who had criticised three ministers who had poured scorn on the euro.
The conservative competition commissioner, who was sounded out by Mr Berlusconi last year as a possible candidate for a senior role in his right-wing government, also suggested it was risky for the prime minister to take on the portfolio himself.
"Now that Silvio Berlusconi has assumed full responsibility for foreign and European policy, any major split is likely to lead to a political crisis. And now, 'his' line will need to be set out clearly," the commissioner said.
Mr Monti described Mr Ruggiero's resignation as a serious loss for Europe and Italy - a country not overly well endowed with credible big-hitters on the international stage.
He said Mr Berlusconi would need to define his European vision with greater attention than he has done so far.
Several EU governments have expressed dismay at Mr Ruggiero's departure and urged Mr Berlusconi to clarify traditionally pro-European Italy's continuing support for EU integration.
In his seven months in office, Italy has pulled out of a major European military aircraft project, tried unsuccessfully to block a pan-European arrest warrant and prevented agreement on the siting of new EU agencies.