Italy's Grillo Rules Out Coalition with Center-Left

Italian comedian Beppe Grillo, whose Five-Star Movement (M5S) surprisingly came third in last weekend's elections, has ruled out a coalition with the centre-left.

Pier Luigi Bersani's centre-left bloc narrowly defeated ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi in the lower house but has failed to secure a majority in the Senate.

Under the Italian political system, control of both houses is needed to govern.

Grillo told the BBC on Wednesday that he expected fresh elections within a year.

The comedian-turned-politician said he believed the two main coalitions - Bersani's Democratic Party and former Berlusconi's People of Freedom (PdL) movement - would come to an agreement, and that the Five-Star Movement would be in opposition.

The inconclusive polls have left Italy in political deadlock and pushed up borrowing costs for the government.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!