Italy's new government sworn in

World
Europe

00:38

The Italian government formed by the newly appointed Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte was officially sworn in on Friday.

Conte, a 53-year-old law professor, was asked to form the government by President Sergio Mattarella on Thursday evening, after former PM-designate Cottarelli gave up on his mandate to assemble a technocrat cabinet.

Conte must now win confidence votes in parliament next week.

Giuseppe Conte talks to the media at the Quirinal Palace in Rome, Italy, May 31, 2018. /Reuters Photo

He accepted the new mandate after the anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) and far-right League, the two most successful parties in March's inconclusive election, agreed to renew their coalition consultations, following the failure of their previous bid for a cabinet also led by Conte.

The new government was sworn in at the presidential palace at 4 p.m. local time.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said Friday that China and Italy enjoy traditional friendship and China is pleased to see the political and social stability and economic prosperity in Italy.

European Council President Donald Tusk on Friday congratulated the newly appointed Italian prime minister, while saying the European Union needed "unity and solidarity more than ever."

"Your appointment comes at a crucial time for Italy and the entire European Union," Tusk said in the letter. "To overcome our common challenges, we need unity and solidarity more than ever," he added.

Source(s): Reuters ,Xinhua News Agency