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Italy’s president approves Euroskeptic coalition's proposed PM candidate Conte ‘Government of change’: Euroskeptic coalition’s choice for Italian PM officially approved
(about 1 hour later)
Law professor and lawyer Giuseppe Conte, proposed by the anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) and its right-wing coalition ally Lega Nord for the post of Prime Minister, has been approved by the president. Giuseppe Conte has vowed quick reforms after being confirmed as prime minister by Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella, following months of grueling talks that have put the Euroskeptic Five Star Movement-Lega coalition in charge.
Both parties rolled out their proposal for PM on Monday after lengthy negotiations the previous day. Lega Nord leader Matteo Salvini and Five Star Movement chief Luigi Di Maio later presented their pick to Italian President Sergio Mattarella. “This will be the government of change,” said the former law professor and lawyer at the traditional maiden speech at the Quirinal Palace in Rome, where he was summoned on Wednesday afternoon after his compromise candidacy was announced last week.
Salvini described Conte as “a professional who contributed to the drafting of the contract” between both parties, while Di Maio called him “the Five Star Movement in a nutshell – he won't burden the Italian public." Conte, 53, said he would immediately begin implementing stricter asylum requirements and negotiate a loosening Italy’s budget, away from Brussels’ spending requirements, describing himself as “defense lawyer for the Italian people.”
Reports in the Italian media suggest that Conte will likely have both Five Star and Lega Nord leaders in his government, with Di Maio reportedly gunning for the Economic Development Ministry and the Salvini heading the Interior Ministry.  Conte nonetheless attempted to assuage the markets and Brussels, where a top EU official earlier called Italy’s direction “worrying,” saying that the new government is “aware of its European and international obligations.”
Both the Five Star Movement and Lega Nord (within the center-right coalition) scored roughly a third of the votes each during the March 4 general election. The cabinet, expected to be announced next week, will be comprise politicians from both Lega and the Five Star Movement, to which Conte belongs - the two parties that collectively reeled in more than half the votes in the March 4 election.
Initially reluctant to engage in any coalition talks, both anti-establishment parties seemingly found a compromise later. Their platforms include cutting taxes, increased public spending achieved by streamlining bureaucracy, and a clampdown on over 600,000 asylum seekers who have arrived in Italy in the past several years. They have also signaled a break with the EU, though the parties have stepped back from an earlier plan to stage a referendum on euro membership.
On Friday the Euroskeptic coalition officially unveiled its joint policy program, paving the way to form the new government. The proposals mainly focus on Italian domestic issues, including immigration and refugees, taxation and the social benefits system. The document also states that financing of mosques and other religious installations should be transparent, while Islamic prayers should be conducted in Italian. “We are happy, let’s hope nobody puts obstacles in the path of the government that the Italian people have been waiting for,” said Lega leader Matteo Salvini.
The landmark document called for an immediate lifting of sanctions imposed on Russia. The text insists that Russia “should not be perceived as a threat but as an economic and business partner.” The coalition calls Moscow “a potential partner for NATO and for the EU,” and adds that there are other, more acute threats for Europe,” namely “Islamic extremism, uncontrolled migration, and consequent tensions that arise between regional powers.” The candidacy of Conte earlier appeared to be under some threat, with the president expressing concern that the inexperienced politician was capable of being more than a figurehead, and newspapers unearthing claims that he may have embellished his academic credentials, a charge he denies.The deposed center-left Democratic Party, which suffered a crushing defeat two months ago, has already said it will offer stern opposition to what it has labeled a “far right” government.
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Silvio Berlusconi Forza Italia, which went to the polls in a bloc with Lega but quit the alliance this month to allow the two other parties to form a government, has also promised to be a “consistent” voice against the upstart political surge.