Monti sworn in as Italian PM


Xinhua, November 17, 2011

Italy's new prime minister Mario Monti takes office at the Chigi Palace in Rome, Italy, Nov. 16, 2011. Mario Monti on Wednesday took over as Italian new prime minister and led the newly selected cabinet ministers to be sworn in at the presidential palace, a symbol of starting their task for drawing off a heavy debt-driven financial crisis. [Photo: Xinhua]

Mario Monti on Wednesday took over as Italian new premier and he led the newly selected cabinet ministers to be sworn in, a symbol of starting their task for drawing off a heavy debt-driven financial crisis.

Monti and his team, composed of experts in their respective fields who are not politicians, were sworn in at the presidential palace hours after the new Italian prime minister publicly unveiled his cabinet ministers.

Monti, a respected economist and former EU commissioner, said that he is "confident" in his cabinet ministers and will focus "on joint initiatives for economic growth and development" as he announced he had accepted from President Giorgio Napolitano the mandate to replace Silvio Berlusconi.

Italy's new prime minister Mario Monti (C, 1st Row) and his cabinet ministers stand with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano (4th L, 1st Row) after the swearing-in ceremony at the presidential palace in Rome, Italy, Nov. 16, 2011. Mario Monti on Wednesday took over as Italian new prime minister and led the newly selected cabinet ministers to be sworn in at the presidential palace, a symbol of starting their task for drawing off a heavy debt-driven financial crisis. [Photo: Xinhua]

The new government is expected to face a confidence vote in both chambers of parliament on Thursday and Friday.

Corrado Passera, CEO of the country's biggest retail bank Intesa Sanpaolo, was named as Economic Development and Infrastructure Minister, while Paola Severino, a lawyer and deputy head of LUISS University in Rome, was the first female Justice Minister in Italy's history.

Monti's government will be the 61st since Italy was proclaimed a republic after the Second World War.