In Italy, a Novice Premier May Face Rival Puppet-Masters

Populists propose law professor Giuseppe Conte for premier
Conte would face pressure from rival parties in cabinet

There are no signs the new government will cut EU ties, says Nathalie Tocci of the Istituto Affari Internazionali.Source: Bloomberg

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By John Follain

May 21, 2018 at 4:45 PM UTC

Updated on

May 22, 2018 at 6:59 AM UTC

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The way things are shaping up in Italy, the next prime minister will have to manage two heavyweight ministers with no power base of his own. And it’ll be his first proper job in politics.

Five Star leader Luigi Di Maio said Monday he’s proposed Giuseppe Conte, a 53-year-old law professor from Florence University to lead a coalition government after a deal with his partner Matteo Salvini of the anti-immigrant League. If he eventually gets the job, Conte is going to face constant pressure from the two populists who drew up his policy program.