Source: Xinhua Net
Italian President Mattarella (front row, fourth from left) and Prime Minister Mario Draghi (front row, fourth from right), pose with members of the new government on Feb. 13 at the Italian Presidential Palace in Rome, Italy. Xinhua News Agency (Pool photo)
Rome, 13 Feb (Xinhua) -- The new Italian government, with Mario Draghi as prime minister, was sworn in at the Italian presidential palace on 13 February.
The new Cabinet consists of 23 ministers. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Interior, the Minister of Defence and the Minister of Health of the previous Government remained in their posts, while the Senior Vice-Governor of the Bank of Italy, Daniele Franco, served as Minister of Economy and Finance.
Italian President Mattarella, left, talks to Prime Minister Draghi of the new government, at the Italian presidential palace in Rome, Italy, on Feb. 13. Xinhua News Agency (Pool photo)
It is understood that fighting the new crown epidemic and promoting the recovery of the Italian economy will be the top priority facing the new government. The previous government has formulated a draft national recovery plan for key areas such as digitalization, ecological transformation, health care, infrastructure, education and scientific research, with a total investment of more than 300 billion euros, of which more than 200 billion euros come from the EU Recovery Fund. The new cabinet will continue to refine the revision of the plan and submit it to the European Commission for approval in April.
Italian President Mattarella, left, poses with Prime Minister Mario Draghi of the new government at the Italian Presidential Palace in Rome, Italy, on Feb. 13. Xinhua News Agency (Pool photo)
On January 13 this year, dissatisfied with Prime Minister Conte's performance in power, Italy's Viva Party withdrew from the ruling coalition, which lost its absolute majority in the Senate. On 26 January, Conte submitted his resignation to President Mattarella. On February 3, Mattarella authorized Draghi to form a new government. After consultations with various parties, Draghi was supported by the main political parties, and he announced on the evening of the 12th that he accepted Mattarella's appointment as prime minister.
Born in September 1947, Draghi was governor of the Central Bank of Italy and president of the European Central Bank from 2011 to 2019.
Former Italian Prime Minister Conte (left) hands over the bell to preside over cabinet meetings to Prime Minister Mario Draghi in Rome, Italy, on Feb. 13. Xinhua News Agency (Pool photo)
Former Italian Prime Minister Conte ( left ) attends a handover ceremony with new Prime Minister Mario Draghi in Rome, Italy, on Feb. 13. Xinhua News Agency (Pool photo)