Italian President Raises Specter of New Elections

With parties still at loggerheads over formation of any new government, leader sees options narrowing

ROME—Italy edged closer to fresh national elections, as the Italian president launched a last-ditch call for parties to support a short-term government in an attempt to break a two-month political deadlock.

President Sergio Mattarella concluded the fifth unsuccessful round of formal talks among parties Monday, his latest effort to cajole the groups into bridging their differences and forming a new government. The talks come more than two months after national elections produced a hung parliament.

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