Italy’s new Prime Minister Romano Prodi unveiled a new centre-left government on Wednesday, ending weeks of political stalemate and pledging to rebuild solidarity and consensus after bitterly divisive elections.
As expected, it features former prime minister Massimo D’Alema as Foreign Minister and former European Central Bank board member Tomasso Padoa-Schioppa as Economy Minister.
D’Alema (57), ex-communist chairperson of the Democrats of the Left, Prodi’s biggest coalition ally, will also hold one of two deputy prime ministerial positions, along with Francesco Rutelli, who doubles as Culture Minister.
Prodi was formally sworn in as prime minister by President Giorgio Napolitano ahead of his 25-member Cabinet, opening a new chapter in Italian politics after his victory in last month’s general elections, still being contested by the ousted centre-right leader Silvio Berlusconi.
Berlusconi then formally handed over the reins of power to Prodi during a meeting in the prime minister’s offices in Palazzo Chigi, central Rome.
The bitter rivals re-emerged shortly afterwards, shaking hands and joking as they posed for photographers.
Prodi then headed into the first Cabinet meeting of his new government. — AFP