The new Italian government of populist five-star movement and Social Democrats (PD) is sworn in after weeks of crisis. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and his ministers swore their oath of office to Head of State Sergio Mattarella in Rome.
The coalition emerged after arduous negotiations after the five-star movement's alliance with Matteo Salvini's right-wing Lega broke in August. The first official action is now expected to be the government's proposal to elect former Prime Minister and PD politician Paolo Gentiloni as EU Commissioner in Brussels. This would send an outspoken pro-European candidate to Brussels.
Di Maio becomes Foreign Minister
Previously, the occupation of important cabinet posts had been announced:
- The leader of the populist five-star movement Luigi di Maio becomes foreign minister .
- Minister of the Interior becomes top civil servant Luciana Lamorgese . She replaces the hardliner Matteo Salvini, whose right leg has left the government.
- Economic and Finance Minister is the PD politician and former MEP Roberto Gualtieri .
The new Cabinet now needs the trust of the two chambers of parliament, in which Sterne and PD have a majority.
