Italian court reviews vote law; Renzi eager for early election

Outgoing Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi gestures during the bell ceremony, to signify the start of the first cabinet meeting of the newly appointed Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, at Chigi Palace in Rome, Italy December 12, 2016. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi

ROME (Reuters) - Italy's highest court began deliberations on Tuesday to rule on the legality of the country's latest electoral law with the decision likely to influence the timing of the next election.

An unambiguous ruling offering a simple solution to Italy's electoral tangle could open the way for an early ballot by June. A more nuanced, convoluted reading would almost certainly leave parliament in place until the legislature ends in early 2018.