ROME – Italian president, Sergio Mattarella, has summoned Roberto Fico, President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, to the Quirinal Palace at 5.00 pm today, according to a statement released by the president’s office.

 Fico, who is a member of the Five Star Movement, will reportedly be asked about the possibility of forming a governing alliance with the Democratic Party and other centre-left parties.

 Luigi Di Maio, leader of the Five Star Movement, has responded to the news of this meeting on Twitter saying: "I wish Roberto the best of luck and I'm sure he will interpret the Head of State’s request as best he can".

 This comes after Senate speaker Elisabetta Casellati failed to find common ground between the centre-right and the Five Star Movement on Friday.

 These two parties emerged as the largest political powers after the inconclusive election on 4 March, however neither had enough votes to form a single government.

 fct