Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi became Italy's interim foreign minister on Sunday to limit the fallout from the resignation of his most internationally respected and pro-European minister.
Renato Ruggiero, a former head of the World Trade Organisation, quit in frustration late on Saturday after a government row sparked off by the birth of the euro currency.
Berlusconi's decision to fill the position himself showed his desire to stamp his authority on a fractious cabinet -- and will concentrate more power in the hands of a man who also controls Italy's biggest media empire.
He was sworn in during a meeting with President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, the president's office said.
"This interim period might last for a long time. We are talking about weeks or maybe even months," a source in the prime minister's office said, adding Berlusconi would reassure allies that Italy was committed to European integration, "Italy remains a loyal member of the European Union".
Ruggiero was infuriated last week when a trio of fellow ministers belittled the euro launch, saying their comments revealed cabinet divisions over whether Italy should adopt a more eurosceptic position within the European Union.
(China Daily January 7, 2002)
