Italy reports nearly 700 more coronavirus deaths

ROME

Italy on Thursday reported 683 more coronavirus-related deaths -- largely stable from the day before -- as the country continues to register one of Europe's highest death tolls.

The country also recorded 18,236 new infections, up from 17,572 on Wednesday, with a higher number of swab tests performed.

Confirming trends observed over the past few weeks, the new figures show that the contagion curve is flattening though at a very slow pace.

The number of daily deaths also continues to be worryingly high, experts noted, showing that the virus remains deadly.

Authorities are still discussing stricter countermeasures against the virus for the coming holiday period, following the example of Germany and other European partners in a bid to avoid a third pandemic wave early next year.

Experts and government ministers led by premier Giuseppe Conte, however, are divided over the new restrictions, which could include a near-total lockdown around the main festivities.

Under pressure from critics, the government has been shaken by growing instability due to conflicting positions among its coalition partners.

Last week, former premier and leftist political leader Matteo Renzi openly attacked Conte in parliament, accusing him of trying to monopolize power with the creation of a special task force to handle the country's massive recovery plan.

Renzi is expected to meet Conte later on Thursday in the hopes of finding a compromise able to avoid a political crisis as the global pandemic rages.

An end-of-the-year crisis could lead to a new transition government headed by Conte or another leader of the center-left majority.

The prospect of snap polls early next year, however, remains unlikely.