- Title: Italy's Conte accepts mandate to form new government
- Date: 29th August 2019
- Summary: ROME, ITALY (AUGUST 29, 2019) (REUTERS) PRIME MINISTER GIUSEPPE CONTE ARRIVING TO SPEAK TO MEDIA AFTER TALKS WITH ITALIAN PRESIDENT SERGIO MATTARELLA CAMERAMAN (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER, GIUSEPPE CONTE, SAYING: "Good morning everyone. The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, whom I thank, has given me the mandate of forming the government, a task that I have accepted with reserve. Today, I will start the consultations with all the parliamentary groups and at the end of these consultations I will draw up a programme together with the political forces that have expressed their support for this new political process and who I thank." CAMERAMAN (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER, GIUSEPPE CONTE, SAYING: "The country is in a very delicate phase. We must get out of the political uncertainty triggered by the government crisis as soon as possible. We are going through an economic situation that presents some problems. The global economy, especially in Europe, is slowing down also due to the current commercial tensions in particular, as we know, between the United States and China." PHOTOGRAPHER (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER, GIUSEPPE CONTE, SAYING: "There are only a few weeks until the beginning of the budget session, we must immediately get to work and draw a budget that contrasts the VAT hike, protects savers and offers solid prospects for economic growth and social development." CAMERAMAN (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER, GIUSEPPE CONTE, SAYING: "It will be a government for the good of the citizens, to modernise the country, to make our nation even more competitive in the international context but also more just, more supportive and more inclusive." CORAZZIERI HONOUR GUARD CONTE LEAVING
- Embargoed: 12th September 2019 10:08
- Keywords: 5-Star Movement Giuseppe Conte Luigi Di Maio President Sergio Mattarella government crisis League Democratic Party Italian politics Nicola Zingaretti Matteo Salvini
- Location: ROME, ITALY
- City: ROME, ITALY
- Country: Italy
- Topics: Lawmaking,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001AU9U347
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: FILE FOOTAGE OF CONTE AVAILABLE: 3057-ITALY-POLITICS/FILE
Italy's president asked Giuseppe Conte to head a coalition of the 5-Star Movement and opposition Democratic Party (PD) on Thursday (August 29), a move could that could mark a turning point in Italy's frayed relations with the European Union.
Sergio Mattarella handed Conte a fresh mandate to form a cabinet barely a week after the low-key lawyer had resigned following a decision by the far-right League party to pull out of its coalition with 5-Star.
The move by its leader Matteo Salvini, who had wanted early elections to capitalise on his party's success in European elections, appeared to have backfired as 5-Star and the PD set aside their long-standing animosity to form a government led by Conte.
"Today, I will start the consultations with all the parliamentary groups and at the end of this consultations I will draw up a program together with the political forces that have expressed their support for this new political process", Conte told reporters.
The soft-spoken academic, who has no political affiliation but is considered close to 5-Star, added that work on the 2020 budget was his priority.
The prospect of a new administration led by Conte has buoyed markets, which are betting that Italy will get a fiscally prudent government that will avoid confrontation with Europe.
However, a coalition pact is not yet a done deal and the incoming coalition still needs to agree on a shared policy platform and team of ministers.
The tentative accord could still unravel with 5-Star and the PD yet to agree on other top government posts, besides the prime minister's position, or reveal a common policy platform.
In an added complication, 5-Star has said it will put any deal with the PD to an online vote of its members. Many 5-Star supporters have taken to social media to denounce a pact with the centre-left and a 'yes' vote cannot be taken for granted.
(Production: Carmelo Camilli, Fabiano Franchitti, Emily Roe) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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