Italian populists reach last-ditch deal to take power
ROME — Italy’s populist parties were scheduled to be sworn in to power on Friday in Rome after they reached a new coalition deal, narrowly avoiding snap elections and setting in motion an anti-austerity government in the eurozone’s third largest economy.
On Thursday evening, President Sergio Mattarella gave a mandate for the second time to Giuseppe Conte — populists’ pick for prime minister.
Italy has been in the throes of political uncertainty for almost three months after inconclusive March elections, rocking financial markets and spreading unease among its euro partners.
Conte — a little known lawyer and political novice — announced his picks for the country’s future cabinet after meeting with Mattarella.
From the coalition, far-right Northern League leader Matteo Salvini was named interior minister while Five Star Movement leader Luigi Di Maio is slated to become minister for economic development.
Paolo Savona, the euroskeptic economist who the populist coalition originally wanted for economy minister but who was rejected by Mattarella, is still part of the cabinet as European Affairs minister.
The role of economy minister was given to the less controversial Giovanni Tria, a political economist who advocates slashing taxes but is in favor of keeping Italy in the euro.
Brussels savvy Enzo Moavero Milanesi was appointed minister of foreign affairs.
Of 18 ministers in the cabinet, only five are women.
According to Italian media the populist lineup will face a vote of confidence in both houses of parliament on Monday or Tuesday.
“Without promising any miracles, I can say that, after the first months of this government of change, I would like us to have a country with a little less tax and a little more security, a few more jobs and a few less illegal immigrants,” said a gleeful Salvini at a rally after the announcement.
Milan’s stock index opened higher on Friday after Italy’s populists put an end to the political gridlock.
China welcomes stability
China is happy to see political stability and economic prosperity in Italy, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in a news conference on Friday.
Beijing would like to work with the new government to continue to consolidate political mutual trust, deepen pragmatic cooperation in various fields and push forward the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership, she said.