Enrico Letta has been appointed as Italy’s new prime minister, and President Giorgio Napolitano has put him to the task of organizing a coalition government.
Mr. Letta is a center-left Democratic Party member. It’s hoped his presidential appointment — which followed a February election that had inconclusive results — will end a two-month deadlock that has plagued parliament, BBC reported. Mr. Letta already has warned that austerity measures aren’t working.
Mr. Letta, 46, is a nephew of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s chief of staff, BBC reported. He’s liberal but regarded by conservatives as a more moderate voice, and hopes are high that he can bring together political voices from across the spectrum, including those from the far right who stood with Mr. Berlusconi, BBC reported.
Among the priorities for the coalition government are a reshaping of election policies so they deliver more conclusive results, and work on the economy.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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