Italy into New Territory As Populist Gov’t Formally Takes Reins
Local Editor
Italy's new government officially took the reins of the Eurozone's third largest economy Wednesday after a decisive victory in the country's chamber of deputies gave parliamentary approval to a populist coalition that alarmed European Union [EU] officials.
The alliance between the anti-establishment Five Star Movement and the far-right League gained the chamber's endorsement with 350 votes in favor, 236 against and 35 abstentions, following senate approval for Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte's government on Tuesday.
Victory in the two houses gives 53-year-old Conte the mandate to carry out their program for a "government of change."
Meanwhile, Conte's first task after winning the confidence of parliament will be to travel to the G7 summit in Canada, where he will make his debut in international politics barely a fortnight after arriving on the domestic scene.
"In the G7, the first thing for Italy will be to make itself known, the second to make sure that it is respected," Conte told reporters on Wednesday.
A lawyer with little political experience, Conte was nominated by Salvini and Five Star head Luigi Di Maio -- both of whom are now also his deputy prime ministers.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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