ITALY: New Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta and former Prime Minister Mario Monti attend a symbolic bell handover ceremony ahead of the first cabinet meeting

Record ID: 187254

  • Title: ITALY: New Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta and former Prime Minister Mario Monti attend a symbolic bell handover ceremony ahead of the first cabinet meeting
  • Date: 28th April 2013
  • Summary: ROME, ITALY (APRIL 28, 2013) (REUTERS) PRIME MINISTER ENRICO LETTA STANDING TO ATTENTION VARIOUS LETTA WALKING PAST GUARD OF HONOUR
  • Embargoed: 13th May 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Italy
  • Country: Italy
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAACVSNIDUXCF4M5I6B6STCVZ57
  • Story Text: New Italian Prime Minister, Enrico Letta , the moderate deputy head of the Democratic Party (PD) ended two months of political stalemate following February's inconclusive election on Sunday (April 28) when he called his first cabinet meeting after being handed a ceremonial bell from former Prime Minister Mario Monti.
    The mix of center-right and center-left politicians and unaffiliated technocrats in the new Cabinet was largely welcomed in Italy's mainstream press on Sunday, especially for the record of seven female ministers and the relatively young average age.
    PDL secretary Angelino Alfano was named as deputy prime minister and interior minister, giving the centre-right a powerful voice at the heart of the new government.
    Bank of Italy director general Fabrizio Saccomanni took the key economy ministry portfolio and former European Commissioner Emma Bonino was appointed foreign minister.
    Letta, 46, the deputy leader of the centre-left Democratic Party (PD), has said his priorities will be boosting the economy and tackling unemployment, restoring confidence in Italy's discredited political institutions and trying to turn Europe away from austerity to focus more on growth and investment.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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