ROME (AP) — The head of Italy's lower house of Parliament has reported a "positive outcome" in preliminary talks to form a possible governing alliance between the populist 5-Star Movement and the center-left Democratic Party.

Roberto Fico said consultations are to continue, particularly within the divided Democratic Party. He spoke Thursday after reporting to President Sergio Mattarella on his efforts to break a political logjam following Italy's inconclusive March 4 election.

The Democrats are split between those loyal to ex-Premier Matteo Renzi, who has insisted on being in the opposition, and those backing the interim Democratic head, Maurizio Martina, who has expressed a willingness to join a coalition.

Mattarella asked Fico, a 5-Star lawmaker, to explore a Democratic alliance after talks failed with the center-right bloc, which won the most votes on March 4.