Brussels, 16/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - “During consultations, I came to the conclusion that not having prominent political figures in the government would make its task easier: it will remove one of the grounds for disagreement”, stated new Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti on Wednesday 16 November after unveiling the list of ministers who will form the new government. This new government was sworn in before President of the Republic Giorgio Napolitano in the afternoon of Wednesday.
This is now a “race against the clock”, the new prime minister said. The government, then, is made up essentially of experienced technocrats, including three women, who will be put to a vote of confidence in the Senate and Lower House as quickly as possible. Monti has taken charge of the economy and finance portfolio himself. The other key ministries are: - Corrado Passera, currently Chief Executive of the Intesa SanPaolo Bank, will head a new development, infrastructure and transport super-ministry; - Ambassador Giulio Terzi di Sant'Agata will have foreign affairs; - Prefect Anna Maria Cancellieri home affairs; - Admiral Giampaolo di Paola defence; - Paola Severino, of the Luiss University, justice; - Elsa Fornero, World Bank consultant and economic professor, labour, social affairs and equal opportunities; - Mario Catania, agricultural policy expert well known in Brussels, agriculture; - Corrado Clini environment, where he is currently a director general. Finally, Moavero Milanesi, also well known in Brussels (head of Monti's private office at Internal Market, former director at DG Competition, and judge at the General Court), has been appointed minister without portfolio, responsible for European affairs. (FG/transl.rt)