Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni was chosen on 11th Dec to be the country’s next PM. He pledged to get to work on forming a new coalition with the same Democrat party led majority.
62-year-old Gentiloni was selected for the mandate at the Quirinal Presidential palace.
Ex- PM Matteo Renzi was the caretaker premier since he offered his resignation on Dec 7.
Renzi’s three-year-old government suffered a stinging defeat in a referendum on reforms.
The 5-Star movement and other opposition forces were interested in early election, but Italian President Sergio Matarella noted Renzi’s outgoing government still commands a majority in Parliament.
The president also noted there was wide political consensus for a rapid transformation of Italy’s electoral laws before Italians vote in the new election.
Gentolini emerged as a pick after three days of consultations.
Gentolini had also lobbied for an end to the fighting in Libya.
The 5-Star populists wanted to let Italians decide if they want to stay in the 19 nation shared euro currency; they want elections soon.
However, it is the president’s call to decide when to dissolve the Parliament and call for new election ahead of the spring 2018 date.
5-Star Movement- Political party started by comedian Beppo Grille and web strategist Gianroberto Cassaleggio
- President: Beppo Grille
- Deputy President: Enrico Grillo
- Founded: Oct 4, 2009.
- Headquarters: Via Roccatagliata Ceccardi 1/14, Genoa
- Slogan: ”One is worth one"
