Italy’s premier-designate Giuseppe Conte, a law professor with no political experience, began his search for a government that will satisfy his populist sponsors and pass muster with President Sergio Mattarella.
Conte, 53, will meet leaders of all political parties at the lower house in Rome on Thursday, starting at 8 a.m., newswire Ansa reported. After talks with the head of state, Conte was given a mandate on Wednesday to form a new administration, which has already spooked financial markets.
Mattarella, 76, a former constitutional court judge, stressed to Conte concerns about the economy, according to a senior state official who declined to be named discussing a confidential encounter. Mattarella noted Italy’s economic difficulties, as well as the need to safeguard financial stability, market confidence and budget rules, the official said. Conte assured Mattarella of his full collaboration, the official said.
Luigi Di Maio
Photographer: Alessia Pierdomenico/Bloomberg“I am aware of the need to confirm Italy’s position in Europe,” Conte said after meeting Mattarella, accepting his mandate. He added that his government will be based on a program drawn up by Luigi Di Maio of the anti-establishment Five Star Movement and Matteo Salvini of the anti-immigrant League.
Paolo Savona, an 81-year-old economist who’s repeatedly called on the government to plan for a possible euro exit, is the front-runner for the post of finance minister, according to League officials. Another possible contender for the position is Luigi Zingales, professor of finance at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, La Stampa newspaper reported.
Conte said the government would have to deal “straight away with the negotiations under way” on the European Union budget, reform of the asylum-seeking process and completion of the banking union. He said his intention was “to build the relevant alliances and work so that the process reflects national interest.”
In Italy, a Novice Premier May Face Rival Puppet-Masters
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Matteo Salvini
Photographer: Alessia Pierdomenico/BloombergA euroskeptic government, to be led by Conte, has unnerved markets even before its birth, with the Five Star-League policy program promising a spending spree and tax cuts in deliberate defiance of EU fiscal rules.
Italy’s economy is a hurdle for such an administration, with growth set to be the slowest in the euro area this year. Conte’s lack of political experience and his untested ability to contain personal and political rivalry between Di Maio and Salvini are also a source of concern.
Bonds SlideItalian bonds resumed their slide Wednesday, with the 10-year yield spread over German bunds widening to 189 basis points, the most since June.
The premier-designate will draw up a list of ministers that he has to submit to the head of state. If Mattarella approves the team, the government will be sworn in and then face a vote of confidence in the two houses of parliament, possibly next week.
Di Maio is tipped as a possible minister of labor and economic development, while Salvini could be interior minister.
— With assistance by Chiara Albanese, and Kevin Costelloe
(Updates 5th paragraph with Zingales report.) LISTEN TO ARTICLE 2:51 Share Share on Facebook Post to Twitter Send as an Email Print
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