The announcement signalled that Conte was likely to receive a mandate to try to form a new government with the ruling 5-Star Movement and the opposition Democratic Party (PD).

Conte resigned last week after the far-right League party withdrew from its coalition with the 5-Star, forcing Mattarella to hold consultations with all Italy's main political parties to try to find a way out of the political chaos.

Both 5-Star and the PD told the president they were willing to try to form an administration with Conte at the helm.