ROME – The M5S were the final party to meet Italian President Sergio Mattarella as government-formation consultations came to a close following two days of discussions. The League have reinforced the possibility of a centre-right government working alongside M5S, whilst declaring that Luigi Di Maio’s party need to stop saying no and find a compromise.

 The Maurizio Martina-led section of the PD appears resolute on the fact that there is no place for their party in government this term, stressing the “negative outcome” of last month’s elections. He added that those who won the election must “take the responsibility of government.”

 Martina was short of optimism following the consultations, noting that “the electoral campaign is over and these forces would do well to come back down to earth with respect to solutions” for government.

 He did, however, outline the PD’s stance as an opposition party, centred around “cutting labour costs and inclusion income; control of public finance; management of the migration phenomenon; [and] strengthening the international framework.”

 Conversely, Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia highlighted the “urgency” for a government to find its basis around the centre-right coalition, which had collectively obtained the highest number of votes.

 Yet, Forza Italia stressed that they weren’t open to involvement in a populist government “made up of hatred that would trigger a downward spiral and high taxes with a chain of bankruptcies in the banking sector.”

 Following discussions with the Italian President, Matteo Salvini stated, “we are working for a government that works for at least 5 years, starting with those who won the elections,” still focussing his intentions reaching an agreement with M5S.

 The situation remains complex due to the reappearing vetoes which cross over several parties, but Salvini appeared upbeat in the wake of consultations.

 However, he did add that the possibility of repeating the electoral process lingered: “the League is a party born amongst the people; imagine if we are afraid to go to elections.”

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