Italy President Gives Conte Mandate to Form New Government
Possibility of snap elections still in place.
(Bloomberg) -- President Sergio Mattarella tapped Giuseppe Conte, Italy’s outgoing prime minister, to iron out the differences between the Five Star Movement and the center-left Democratic Party and form a working coalition that can overcome the groups’ longstanding differences.
Conte, as is customary, accepted with reserve, and he could have until next week to forge an alliance that would end the political chaos in Italy, which erupted earlier this month after Matteo Salvini, leader of the anti-migrant League, brought down the government in a bid to consolidate power. Even if Conte succeeds it’s no guarantee that a new administration will last, leaving in place the possibility of snap elections, which would likely elevate Salvini, who leads opinion polls, to the premiership.
To contact the reporter on this story: John Follain in Rome at jfollain2@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Ben Sills at bsills@bloomberg.net, Richard Bravo
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