Italy's 5-Star Movement seeks mandate to govern

"The 5-Star Movement was first in number of votes and the primary political force in the recent elections. For this reason we officially ask to be allowed to form a government to start our programme," the head of the movement's parliamentary group, Roberta Lombardi, told reporters after meeting Napolitano.

The head of the party's Senate group, Vito Crimi, said the party had proposed a platform of policies including a referendum on Italy's future in the euro during the meeting, part of a series of consultations Napolitano is holding to see if a government can be formed after last month's deadlocked election.

The two officials declined to say who the party's candidate for prime minister would be.

(Reporting By James Mackenzie and Naomi O'Leary; editing by Barry Moody)