Italy's opposition PD says coalition talks at risk of failure

Talks between Italy's ruling 5-Star Movement and the opposition Democratic Party (PD) to form a new coalition government are at risk of failure over who should become the next interior minister, a PD spokesman said on Tuesday. The anti-establishment 5-Star party and center-left PD, traditional political enemies, are trying to forge a government after 5-Star's 14-month-old coalition with the right-wing League party broke down this month after months of infighting.

The PD spokesman accused 5-Star leader Luigi Di Maio of hindering talks with his request to serve as interior minister as well as deputy prime minister. Shortly after, 5-Star sources said Di Maio had never demanded the interior ministry.