The war of numbers between the majority parties, the implosion of the M5S and the high tension in the Democratic Party are holding back the game on the undersecretaries who, in the initial strategy of Prime Minister Mario Draghi, could have closed already this weekend.
Nothing to do, however.
The balance between the parties in support of the government has become more complex after the expulsion of dissidents from the M5S.
While, in the Democratic Party, the trench of women and the Dem minority does not stop, asking the secretary Nicola Zingaretti not to proceed with any negotiations on the undersecretaries before the management next Thursday.
Draghi and the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, on the sidelines of the inaugural ceremony of the judicial year of the Court of Auditors, would have had an exchange of views on the dossier.
New contacts are not excluded in the next few hours.
Precisely because of the ongoing tensions and the "hunger" of political parties, the "quota" of technicians could be reduced, perhaps only to Publishing and the Mef.
While, in the wake of the pressure of political forces, the premier could give his consent to the appointment of some deputy ministers in the team of undersecretaries.
But D-Day is likely to slip in the middle of next week.
Even the CDM convened for Monday morning, unless there is sudden acceleration, will not have the list of undersecretaries on the table.
There is a fact, first of all, that has complicated the picture.
Lega and FI, with the expulsion of the M5S senators who voted against Draghi, have a majority in Palazzo Madama with respect to the Movement, the Democratic Party and Leu.
"Sorry for the dozens of votes against Draghi and the consequent expulsions of Grillini parliamentarians. Even more responsibility, commitment and passion are required of the League and the center-right of the government, we are there", underline League sources.
"When we return to the Interior Ministry there will be changes", warns Matteo Salvini from Catania, where he is for the fourth preliminary hearing of the Gregoretti trial.
And the name that Salvini has in mind for the Interior is that of a return: Nicola Molteni.
Among the leagues in the running there are also Claudio Durigon (Lavoro), Stefano Candiani (as an alternative to Molteni), Luca Coletto for Health and Massimo Bitonci for Mef.
Meanwhile, among the Dems, in the wake of the case of the absence of women among the ministers, the tension remains very high.
Zingaretti convenes a leadership for Thursday entitled: "the affirmation of a party of women and men at the center of a new political phase".
"Very well. Obviously, until that date, no one will prepare lists of undersecretaries. True?", Chiara Gribaudo attacks closely and Titti Di Salvo, herself a member of the Management, shares the same opinion.
On the table there is not only the question of the undersecretaries but also the position of deputy secretary of the Democratic Party, after the arrival of Orlando at the head of the Department of Labor.
Forza Italia too, in these hours, shows a growing dynamism.
At Palazzo Chigi, we learn from parliamentary sources, a list of 20 names for the 7 safe places that the Azzurri would be asking for was sent.
Among the favorites here are Valentino Valentini for Foreign Affairs, Francesco Paolo Sisto for Justice, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin for Mef.
Also in the race Anna Grazia Calabria, Lucio Malan, Simone Baldelli, Stefania Prestigiacomo.
With another position at stake: that of vice president of the Chamber (in place of Mara Carfagna), to which the Lega is also aiming.
The post-split M5S will lose a couple of posts in the government.
Laura Castelli at Mef, Pier Paolo Sileri at Salute and Mirella Liuzzi at Mise are traveling towards confirmation.
Stefano Buffagni is in the direction of the Ministry of Ecological Transition, Gianluca Vacca at Culture, Luca Carabetta at Innovation and Gilda Sportiello (sponsored by the vice-parent Ricciardi) in the South are potential new entries.
Even among the "little ones" the tension is high.
Let's change!
aspires to two places, one more than Leu.
+ Europe looks to foreign countries with Benedetto della Vedova and also the Renzians - among the quoted Davide Faraone to Lucia Annibali - ask for space.
