Italian president faces pressure to accept Eurosceptic minister

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Italian President Sergio Mattarella faced increased pressure on Saturday to endorse the Eurosceptic picked as economy minister by the parties hoping to form the next coalition administration.

Mattarella has held up formation of a government, which would end more than 80 days of political deadlock, over concern about the far-right League and anti-establishment Five Star Movement's desire to make 81-year-old economist Paolo Savona economy minister.

The groups have warned the president that the only other option to Savona's confirmation may be a new election.

Savona, a former industry minister, has been a vocal critic of the euro and European Union.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella speaks to the media during the second day of consultations at the Quirinal Palace in Rome, April 5, 2018. /Reuters Photo

Formally, Prime Minister-designate Giuseppe Conte presents his cabinet to the president, who must endorse it. Conte, a little-known law professor with no political experience, met the president on Friday without resolving the deadlock.

"I hope no one has already decided 'no'," League leader Matteo Salvini shouted to supporters in northern Italy.

"Either the government gets off the ground and starts working in the coming hours, or we might as well go back to elections," Salvini said.

Luigi Di Maio, leader of the Five Star Movement speaks during a press conference in Rome, April 19, 2018. /VCG Photo

Five Star leader Luigi Di Maio said later that he expected there to be a decision on whether the president would back the government within 24 hours.

Five Star also defended Savona's nomination.

Mattarella has not spoken publicly about the nominee, but through his aides has made it clear he does not want an anti-euro economy minister and that he would not accept the "diktat" of the parties.

Five Star Movement political party supporters attend a political event, March 2, 2018. /VCG photo

Savona's criticism of the euro and German economic policy has further spooked markets already concerned about the future government's willingness to rein in the massive debt, worth 1.3 times its annual output.

The League and Five Star have said Savona should not be judged on his opinions, but on his credentials. Savona has had high-level experience at the Bank of Italy, in government as industry minister in 1993-1994, and with employers' lobby Confindustria.

Italy's 5-Star, League on verge of government deal

On his new Facebook page, Conte said he had received best wishes for his government in a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron.

European Commissioner for Economic Affairs Pierre Moscovici was not hostile when asked about Savona in an interview with France's Europe1 radio, saying he would work with whoever Italy named.

(Top photo: A file photo of Paolo Savona in a meeting in Rome, October 10, 2008. Savona, who has been chosen by would-be coalition partners to be Italy's new finance minister, is a Eurosceptic economist. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): Reuters