(CNN)Italy’s anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) and the center-left opposition Democratic Party (PD) agreed on Wednesday to form a new coalition government and avoid snap elections which could favor Matteo Salvini’s far-right League Party.
The two parties entered coalition talks, despite being political enemies, after Italy’s former ruling alliance — made up of M5S and the League Party — collapsed following months of infighting.
Hoping to seize on his rise in popularity, Salvini pushed for new elections in recent months, saying that the alliance between his hardline League and the Five Star Movement no longer held a parliamentary majority.
