Giorgia Meloni was sworn in as Italy’s first female prime minister on Saturday alongside her cabinet team, giving the country its most right-wing government since World War II.
Meloni, head of the nationalist Brothers of Italy, won an election last month as part of a coalition that included Forza Italia, led by former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, and Matteo Salvini’s League.
“I swear to be faithful to the republic,” said Meloni, 45, before shaking hands with President Sergio Mattarella.
His government, the 12th of this century, replaces a national unity administration led by former head of the European Central Bank, Mario Draghi. The country faces a number of daunting challenges, most notably a looming recession, rising energy bills and how to present a united front on the war in Ukraine.
While Meloni pledged support for Ukraine, Berlusconi repeatedly watered it down earlier this week, blaming Kiev for the Russian invasion and revealing that he exchanged gifts and “sweet letters” with his old friend, Russian President Vladimir Putin.
After days of often tense talks behind the scenes, Meloni unveiled his team on Friday, giving five ministries to his junior partners, the League and Forza Italia, while reserving nine cabinet posts for his own party.
Technocrats make up the remainder of the 24-person cast of a strong squad, which includes just six women.
Source: CNN Brasil
I’m James Harper, a highly experienced and accomplished news writer for World Stock Market. I have been writing in the Politics section of the website for over five years, providing readers with up-to-date and insightful information about current events in politics. My work is widely read and respected by many industry professionals as well as laymen.
