Italy: Berlusconi announces new government

May 7, 2008

Silvio Berlusconi, 71, accepted the office of Italian Prime Minister, after two days of consultations led by the President of the Italian Republic Giorgio Napolitano.

During a press conference, shortly after the talks with Napolitano, Berlusconi presented his cabinet: there will be 21 ministers, including four women. Among them, 12 will come from Forza Italia, Berlusconi's party, 4 from National Alliance, 4 from Lega Nord and 1 from Christian Democracy for the Autonomies.

This will be Berlusconi's fourth term in office. According to Donato Marra, secretary-general of the presidency, Berlusconi and his cabinet will be sworn in tomorrow at 5:00 pm. The new government will then face a vote of confidence in Parliament, where his centre-right coalition holds a majority. Later in the evening, Berlusconi is planning to announce the first Council of Ministers.