Politics

Draghi sworn in as Italy’s new PM

Rome, Feb 13 (efe-epa).- Economist Mario Draghi was on Saturday officially sworn in as Italy’s new prime minister after gaining cross-party support to lead a unity government following the resignation of Giuseppe Conte last month.

The former president of the Central European Bank has chosen a cabinet that comprises technocrats and members from all parties represented in parliament except for the far-right Brothers of Italy formation.

President Sergio Mattarella held the swearing-in ceremony at the Quirinale Palace in Rome. Draghi later met with Conte to ceremoniously hand over the reins of government.

Mattarella turned to the 73-year-old Draghi 11 days ago after the collapse of the administration led by Conte due to the withdrawal of the small Italy Alive (IV) party from the ruling coalition.

The initial commission from the president was to assemble a non-political emergency government to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic, which has killed more than 90,000 people in Italy and caused the country’s worst recession since World War II.

Draghi, however, opted to combine party politicians with handful of high-profile outsiders, including Italian central bank director Daniele Franco, who is to become economy minister.EFE-EPA

gsm/jt

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