President Sergio Mattarella's press office said Wednesday that the League and the 5-Star Movement (M5S) has asked for another 24 hours for talks on a possible agreement for a new government. The head of State had been expected later on Wednesday to give someone a mandate to someone to form a "neutral" technocrat executive after a third round of formal political consultation failed to produce a breakthrough to the deadlock that followed Italy's inconclusive March general election.
League leader Matteo Salvini and M5S leader Luigi Di Maio met for face-to-face talks on Wednesday, sources said.
The last word is reportedly up to centre-right Forza Italia (FI) leader Silvio Berlusconi, who is expected to agree to give external support to the new government but not be part of it, after an M5S veto on him.
Berlusconi is the key ally of Salvini, whi said the centre-right alliance was a "pre-requisite" for the deal and would not be broken up.
It may take longer than 24 hours to reach a deal, well-informed sources said Wednesday evening.
Berlusconi was said to be bargaining about appointments, committees and the role of FI.
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