Rome | Members of Italy's anti-establishment 5-Star Movement overwhelmingly backed a proposed coalition with the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST), opening the way for a new government to take office.

In an online ballot, 79.3 per cent of 5-Star supporters voted in favour of joining forces with the PD, their long-time political adversaries, while 20.7 per cent opposed the alliance, party leader Luigi Di Maio told reporters.

Reuters