Italian political crisis takes new turn

ROME - Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini's push for new elections hit a stumbling block this week after the populist, anti-establishment Five-Star Movement began discussions with the main center-left party in hopes of avoiding a national vote nearly four years ahead of schedule.

Analysts said that Salvini, also head of the right-wing, anti-migrant League, is looking to capitalize on his party's strong levels of support to form a new government with Salvini himself in the prime minister's office.

Polls show that support for the League is approaching 40 percent of the electorate, well ahead of the Five-Star Movement, the League's current coalition partner under Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.