Italy's political gridlock deepened as a spat between the main leftist party and a new anti-establishment movement hit prospects for a new government, after elections that have spooked Europe.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Tuesday pressed Syrian opposition leaders to open talks with the regime to stop the bloodshed after "constructive" talks with US Secretary of State John Kerry.

US Secretary of State John Kerry began talks with his Russian counterpart Tuesday aimed at bridging differences over Syria after voicing confidence the two could find "common ground".

The German government drew up Tuesday rules for the oil and gas technique of "fracking" to be carried out in Germany in a move slammed by opposition parties as opening the door to environmental dangers.

The German government is prepared to give the go-ahead to the revolutionary oil and gas technique of "fracking" in Germany, but under certain conditions, according to a ministry paper obtained by AFP on Tuesday.

Cyprus president-elect Nicos Anastasiades on Monday began forming a government to secure an international bailout for the financially crippled EU state after romping to victory in a run-off vote.

Italians fed up with austerity voted on Sunday in the country's most important elections in a generation, as Europe watched for signs of fresh instability in the eurozone's third economy.

Rightwinger Nicos Anastasiades romped to victory in the Cyprus presidential election Sunday, vowing to secure an "earliest possible" bailout for the financially crippled EU state and winning support from the European Commission chief.

Rightwing leader Nicos Anastasiades won Sunday's presidential election in Cyprus, securing a mandate to negotiate a crucial bailout for the EU state on the brink of bankruptcy.

Rightwing leader Nicos Anastasiades won Sunday's presidential election in Cyprus, securing a mandate to negotiate a crucial bailout for the EU state on the brink of bankruptcy, exit polls showed.

Greek Cypriots voted in spring-like sunshine in a left-right presidential runoff on Sunday to elect a new leader to seal a crucial bailout for the EU state on the brink of bankruptcy.

Italians fed up with austerity voted on Sunday in the country's most important election in a generation, as Europe held its breath for signs of fresh instability in the eurozone's third economy.

Italians fed up with austerity went to the polls on Sunday in elections where the centre-left is the favourite, as Europe held its breath for signs of fresh instability in the eurozone's third economy.

Germany will accept a higher-than-permitted public deficit in France for this year if Paris can credibly show it will stick to European Union rules in 2014, the Spiegel newsweekly reported on Sunday.

Italians fed up with austerity went to the polls on Sunday in elections likely to be won by the centre-left, as Europe held its breath for signs of fresh instability in the eurozone's third economy.

Horsemeat containing a drug potentially harmful to humans has probably entered the food chain, France announced, as Italy became the latest country to be drawn into the contaminated meat scandal.

Cyprus votes in a left-right presidential runoff on Sunday to elect a new leader to seal a crucial bailout for the EU state on the brink of bankruptcy.

Italians head to the polls on Sunday and Monday for their first general election since the ousting of Silvio Berlusconi in a climate of economic crisis and amid fears of fresh political instability.

The German right appears more open to expanding gay rights, with several leaders of the governing Christian Democratic Union (CDU) speaking in weekend interviews of bridging the gap betwee same-sex and heterosexual couples.

European stock markets rebounded while the euro slid against the dollar on Friday as traders welcomed improving economic fortunes in Germany and looked ahead to weekend elections in indebted eurozone nation Italy.