Italian president asks Bersani to form next government

The Italian centre-left leader Pier Luigi Bersani has been asked to form the country's next Government.

Bersani, whose party topped the polls, but failed to secure a majority at last month's general election, was given the mandate at a meeting with President Giorgio Napolitano this afternoon.

Italy has been in a state of political gridlock since the vote and talks between the leading parties have so far failed to yield a Government.