Nicola Zingaretti, leader of Italy's center-left opposition | Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images Italy’s center left green-lights potential coalition with 5Stars Nicola Zingaretti says the Democratic Party is available to try and form a new government.

ROME — Italy's center-left opposition has opened the door to a coalition with the populist 5Star Movement.

Democratic Party (PD) leader Nicola Zingaretti said on Wednesday his group is available for a tie-up with the 5Stars, a move that could avert a snap election and oust the far-right League of Interior Minister Matteo Salvini from government.

Zingaretti's announcement comes one day after Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte resigned, leaving Italy's fate in the hands of President Sergio Mattarella, who will consider whether there is an alternative parliamentary majority to form a new government or call snap elections.

The possibility of the PD teaming up with the 5Stars — the League's former coalition partner — first surfaced last week, when PD member and former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi suggested that "responsible parties should unite" to save the country's public finances and prevent Italy from drifting further to the right.

The surprise move by Renzi, whom the 5Stars long counted among their chief antagonists, triggered discussions between the two parties' officials that culminated on Wednesday with Zingaretti's formal green light.

The decision marks a sharp deviation from the party's decision in July to close the door on any dialogue opportunities with the 5Stars.

"We will tell Mattarella to verify the existence of the conditions to form a new government in such a crucial moment of the country's life," Zingaretti said, speaking after the PD's general assembly.

"I'm also very happy the party voted unanimously giving me a full mandate to negotiate this solution," he said, adding: "We want a new government pact based on a green economy, EU values and a change of direction on immigration and social rights."

The decision marks a sharp deviation from the party's decision in July to close the door on any dialogue opportunities with the 5Stars.

The PD delegation will be heard by Mattarella on Thursday morning before he meets with those of the League and the 5Stars.

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