The Italian senate has start a debate - to be followed by a vote - on austerity measures designed to avoid a bailout of the eurozone's third biggest economy.
The measures are likely to be sanctioned, with the lower house voting at the weekend and paving the way for Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to resign.
A technocrat government possibly led by former EU commissioner Mario Monti is being debated.
On Thursday, Italy increased 5bn euros (£4.3bn) from new government bonds.
But this was at an interest rate of 6.087% to borrow the money for one year.
A vote in the upper house is expected on Friday afternoon or evening.
Mr Berlusconi, who lost his parliamentary majority in a vote on Tuesday, has promised to leave Prime Minister seat after the austerity measures are passed by both houses of parliament.
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