Conte sworn in as prime minister Italy

rome/brussels - President Sergio Mattarella swore Giuseppe Conte on Friday afternoon as the new prime minister of Italy. Conte is going to lead a populist government. Its objectives include reducing taxes, promoting prosperity and reviewing EU rules on budgets and immigration.

Conte, a 53-year-old lawyer, and his ministers must get approval from parliament next week. That seems to be a formality. The right-wing populist Lega and the radical Five Star movement, the coalition parties that have put Conte forward, have a majority in both chambers.

The new cabinet is a mix of party politicians and technocrats. On the one hand, this satisfies the Italian electorate and on the other gives a somewhat reassuring signal to the European partners. Lega chef Matteo Salvini becomes Minister of the Interior, M5S leader Luigi Di Maio receives the post Labor and Industry. Both also act as deputy prime ministers.

The important department of Economy and Finance will be the responsibility of Giovanni Tria, after Mattarella did not accept the Euro-enemy Paolo Savona at that position. The Conte government has eighteen ministers, including five women.

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