Italy coalition: Centre-left party demands repeal of far-right's anti-migrant laws as condition of joining government

Democratic party signals it wants more humane migrant policy

The Open Arms rescue ship arrives on the Sicilian island of Lampedusa, southern Italy. Italy's government has turned rescue ships away from its ports under far-right interior minister Matteo Salvini. (AP)

Italy's centre-left opposition has set a more humane migrant policy as one of its key demands to sign up to a new coalition government.

The country's populist governing coalition between the anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) and far-right League collapsed in acrimony earlier this week.

The League, which is riding high in the polls, wants fresh elections to capitalise on its poll success, but the M5S has said it is open to teaming up with the Democratic Party (PD) to form a new administration.

On Wednesday, PD leader Nicola Zingaretti laid down five conditions that should form the backbone of any accord -- "loyal membership" of the European Union; giving parliament a central role; economic development based on environmental sustainability; a change to economic policy to boost investment, and a crucially change in handling migrants.

Among the specific demands is the repeal of laws on security and immigration passed during the coalition with the League. The PD also says it cannot back outgoing prime minister Giuseppe Conte, an independent politician who is close to the M5S, for another term.

Italy's government has been criticised internationally for its approach to migration since the outgoing government took office. Anti-migrant measures have included crackdowns on local politicians making their towns safe havens and the closing of ports to rescue boats.

Five Star Movement leader Luigi di Maio said on Thursday that his party was ready to negotiate a new "solid majority", though key politicians from the anti-establishment party have already turned their noses up at the PD's demands.

"We will not accept the PD's vetoes, they can't say we must accept their five points or it's no deal, that Conte must go or it's no deal," said Manlio Di Stefano, a junior foreign minister who is one of M5S's most prominent politicians.

M5S's support has slumped during coalition with the League, while the League has made further ground.

The collapse of the previous government was ostensibly triggered by a policy row over a new international high-speed rail line to France, but the spat spiralled out of control to an extent that M5S now says it cannot work with Matteo Salvini, the League's leader, at all.