Air France and Lufthansa would be equally valuable as a strategic partner in the new Alitalia, Welfare Minister Maurizio Sacconi said Monday.
''Today the competitors interested in this partnership are on the same level,'' he said.
The minister said the choice of strategic partner ''must be dealt with by Compagnia Aerea Italiana'' - the government-sponsored consortium of Italian investors which are going to buy Alitalia's flight operations.
Northern League politicians have said they prefer Lufthansa over Air France since the German carrier would centre operations around Milan's Malpensa airport.
Officials from two of Italy's large trade unions have also come out in support of Lufthansa.
Air France would keep up Alitalia's traditional hub at Rome's Fiumicino airport.
