Economist Mario Monti, a former member of the European Commission, was nominated Sunday by Italian president Giorgio Napolitano to serve as Italy’s Prime Minister in replacing of Silvio Berlusconi. Mr. Berlusconi resigned while the country is facing financial crisis and the respected economist Monti accepted this mandate to establish a new government in Italy in order to keep the country from being dragged under by Europe’s debt crisis.
In his Sunday’s announcement, President Giorgio Napolitano praised Mr. Mario Monti that he is "gifted, competent, experienced" and well respected in Europe as well as internationally. Monti thanked Napolitano for trusting in him and pledged to do his best to serve Italy during the economic crisis. Mario Monti, 68, will face approval by the Italian Parliament.
Mario Monti was appointed to serve as new Italian prime minister by President Giorgio Napolitano
Italian people seemed to be pleased with the resignation of Berlusconi as they danced, waved the nation's flag as well as singing the nation's anthem in the streets. They also expressed their support to economist Mario Monti, who has promised to be a steady hand in a time of the market turbulence, to be served as the new Prime Minister.
Newly appointed Prime Minister Mario Monti spoke to reporters in Rome on November 13, 2011
Although Italy doesn’t have time to make a perfect political shift because of the debt crisis, which has forced the resignation of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Monti brought some hope to the Italians as he said that he expected to go ahead as soon as he secured a parliamentary majority for the new government.
Mario Monti - the new Italian prime minister delivered a speech at a meeting with Italian president Giorgio Napolitano
Although Mr. Monti didn’t say how long he expected to govern, it is said that he was aimed to serve until the next term in 2013. Mario Monti said that he would attempt to do everything “with a sense of urgency, but also with care” in a new government. Monti is expected to show off his cabinet and program to Parliament in several days.
Mario Monti said that his goal was trying to restore Italy to financial health and growth without compromising “social equity”
New Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti was born in 1943 in Varese, Lombardy. He holds a degree in economics and management from Bocconi University and served many important roles in the country. Mario Monti and his wife Elsa have two children.
Italian Economist Mario Monti and his wife Elsa left St. Ivo church in Rome on Sunday, November 13, 2011
Related links:
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s Top Mistresses
Mario Monti Appointed to Replace Berlusconi as New Italian Prime Minister