Italy's hard-right, anti-establishment parties close to forming new govt
Italy's anti-establishment 5 Star Movement and the far-right League were reportedly on Thursday close to forming a new coalition government.
After nine weeks of political deadlock after the general elections, President Sergio Mattarella urged Italian parties on Monday to try an form an agreement soon or he would be forced to appoint a temporary 'neutral' government and call for new elections as early as July.
The 5 Star Movement and the League requested this week some extra time to negotiate before the appointment of a caretaker cabinet and new elections. Mattarella has given the parties 24 hours to reach an agreement.
Five Star leader Luigi Di Maio met his League counterpart Matteo Salvini to discuss a possible deal, including who would be prime minister, along with other cabinet posts.
In a joint statement after meeting the duo said the talks had taken place in a “positive climate to define the government’s agenda and priorities”.
“Significant steps forward have been made on the composition of the government and on the (nomination) of a prime minister. The aim is to define everything in a short space of time to provide answers and a political government quickly to the nation,” said a statement issued by both parties on Thursday.
Former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, who ran in the elections in coalition with the League, said he would not veto any deal between the two sides. The 5 Star Movement has refused to form a government that implied sharing power with him.