Lufthansa top bidder of Alitalia Airlines

MILAN, Apr 17 (AFP): Lufthansa emerged as the number one candidate to take over Alitalia on Monday after an Italian government minister called the German airline's bid the "most promising".

The Italian government has been looking for new investors in its struggling flagship airline since it entered insolvency proceedings last year, hit by competition from low-cost operators.

The situation is further complicated by March's inconclusive general election, from which no new government has yet been found.

"Alitalia is still fragile and needs a partner. There's a chance to work on these offers and arrive at a structural solution that doesn't cost taxpayers anything more," Economic Development Minister Carlo Calenda told the La Repubblica daily.

"Objectively speaking, however, Lufthansa's offer is the most promising."