Air France-KLM and Alitalia could speed up their exclusive talks for the Franco-Dutch airline to buy the Italian flagship carrier as they aim for a snap deal in case a new government takes charge in Italy.

"The fact no one denied (a newspaper report that) Alitalia is aiming at closing quickly the talks with Air France-KLM, despite a government crisis, is very bad," snubbed suitor Air One said in a statement.

Italian newspapers have suggested a swift conclusion could be planned for the talks as President Giorgio Napolitano seeks a solution to the power vacuum left by the fall of Prime Minister Romano Prodi.

Last December, over a year after state-owned Alitalia was first put up for sale, the Prodi administration picked Air France-KLM for eight weeks of exclusive talks that officially started earlier this month.

But Prodi resigned last Thursday, and Napolitano is trying to find a new majority to run the country, though the most likely outcome is that he may have to call a snap election.

"On top of an opaque selection process of the buyer, they may add an attempt to close the talks without a government of full political powers," Air One added.

"There are rumors spreading... that Alitalia's liquidity is falling. In September (Alitalia) said it had money to run the business for another 12 months, today they are not denying reports they have money until March," said Air One.

On Monday, a source close to the talks said that current liquidity "will last a certain number of months, say between five and eight".

The government's collapse has raised hopes among northern politicians they may be able to block the sale to Air France-KLM -- something they are particularly against as it includes a reduction in the importance of Malpensa Airport, which serves the financial capital Milan in their electoral heartland.

Air France-KLM's plan to scale down Malpensa would also result in thousands of job cuts in the area, local newspapers have reported.

"The sale is surely not an act for a caretaker government. The two parties will come out with an agreement to be finally approved by the next government," a political source said.

"With a company clearly facing difficult moments, with a deal already signed and not fully but at least partially backed by unions, which government would be ready to have Alitalia in bankruptcy to avoid a sale?" said an adviser close to talks.

So far Air France reiterated that talks are going on as planned, while observers have suggested clarity on the political front is needed before the status of talks can be clarified.