Italy tries again to get rivals to form government

Rome: The center-left leader tasked by Italy's president to form a coalition government is holding talks with the bitterly opposed blocs in hopes of finding common ground on how to end the nation's political and economic crises.

Enrico Letta began consultations on Thursday, a day after he was chosen as premier-designate, but creating an effective government won't be easy.

He began talks with former left-wing allies who won't back his efforts because the government will include ex-Premier Silvio Berlusconi's conservatives.

But even the blocs expected to form the new government, two months after inconclusive nationwide elections, are divided on policy. Berlusconi campaigned on a pledge to end a property tax that was a key austerity measure by outgoing Premier Mario Monti, whose centrists will also be part of the government.