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| New Italy 'grand coalition' government to be sworn in | New Italy 'grand coalition' government to be sworn in |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Italy's new coalition government will be sworn in on Sunday morning, breaking two months of political stalemate since the general election. | Italy's new coalition government will be sworn in on Sunday morning, breaking two months of political stalemate since the general election. |
| The new cabinet and prime minister will be sworn in at 11:30 (09:30 GMT) at the presidential Quirinal Palace in Rome. | The new cabinet and prime minister will be sworn in at 11:30 (09:30 GMT) at the presidential Quirinal Palace in Rome. |
| The coalition brings together Enrico Letta's Democratic Party (PD) and the People of Freedom party (PDL) of former PM Silvio Berlusconi. | The coalition brings together Enrico Letta's Democratic Party (PD) and the People of Freedom party (PDL) of former PM Silvio Berlusconi. |
| It was the "only possible government", said President Giorgio Napolitano. | It was the "only possible government", said President Giorgio Napolitano. |
| But correspondents say this "grand coalition" between Italy's current main right- and left-wing parties is unprecedented, and will probably prove an uneasy alliance. | But correspondents say this "grand coalition" between Italy's current main right- and left-wing parties is unprecedented, and will probably prove an uneasy alliance. |
| Mr Letta will become the new prime minister. | Mr Letta will become the new prime minister. |
| Mr Berlusconi had said he would not be a minister, but had pushed for leading figures from his party to be given top posts. | Mr Berlusconi had said he would not be a minister, but had pushed for leading figures from his party to be given top posts. |
| Angelino Alfano, the PDL's secretary and one of Mr Berlusconi's closest political allies, will become deputy prime minister and interior minister in the new government. | Angelino Alfano, the PDL's secretary and one of Mr Berlusconi's closest political allies, will become deputy prime minister and interior minister in the new government. |
| Among the other key appointments proposed is Bank of Italy director general Fabrizio Saccomanni to head the powerful economy ministry. | |
| Women prominent | Women prominent |
| Mr Letta said the cabinet would have a record number of women. | |
| Former European Commissioner Emma Bonino will become Italy's first female foreign minister. | |
| Other women given government jobs include Olympic kayaker Josefa Idem who becomes minister of equal opportunity and sports, and Anna Maria Cancellieri at the ministry of justice. | |
| The announcement of the formation of a new government comes at the end of a long and painful process, says the BBC's Bethany Bell in Rome. | The announcement of the formation of a new government comes at the end of a long and painful process, says the BBC's Bethany Bell in Rome. |
| February's inconclusive election heralded a two-month political deadlock in Italy - still plagued by economic woes after becoming one of the first eurozone victims of the global financial crisis of 2008. | February's inconclusive election heralded a two-month political deadlock in Italy - still plagued by economic woes after becoming one of the first eurozone victims of the global financial crisis of 2008. |
| President Napolitano said the government would have the support of both chambers of parliament. | President Napolitano said the government would have the support of both chambers of parliament. |
| "I hope that this government can get to work quickly in the spirit of fervent co-operation and without any prejudice or conflict," he said. | "I hope that this government can get to work quickly in the spirit of fervent co-operation and without any prejudice or conflict," he said. |
| "It was and is the only possible government." | "It was and is the only possible government." |
| The BBC's David Willey, in Rome, says the new government has to deal with a rapidly declining economic situation, rising unemployment - particularly among the under-35s - and lack of growth, despite some draconian austerity measures passed by the previous government of technocrats. | The BBC's David Willey, in Rome, says the new government has to deal with a rapidly declining economic situation, rising unemployment - particularly among the under-35s - and lack of growth, despite some draconian austerity measures passed by the previous government of technocrats. |
| 'Sober satisfaction' | 'Sober satisfaction' |
| Mr Letta, 46, is considered a moderate within the PD and is linked to Mr Berlusconi through his uncle, Gianni Letta, who is one of Mr Berlusconi's closest aides. | Mr Letta, 46, is considered a moderate within the PD and is linked to Mr Berlusconi through his uncle, Gianni Letta, who is one of Mr Berlusconi's closest aides. |
| Mr Berlusconi is still contesting charges of tax fraud and sex with an underage prostitute, but recent opinion polls suggest his popularity has increased, giving him greater bargaining power. | Mr Berlusconi is still contesting charges of tax fraud and sex with an underage prostitute, but recent opinion polls suggest his popularity has increased, giving him greater bargaining power. |
| Mr Letta expressed "sober satisfaction over the team we put together". | Mr Letta expressed "sober satisfaction over the team we put together". |
| He has said he will shift the focus away from austerity to resolve Europe's economic problems. | He has said he will shift the focus away from austerity to resolve Europe's economic problems. |
| His candidacy for prime minister emerged after the PD leader, Pier Luigi Bersani, announced his resignation following a party rebellion over his choice for Italian president and his refusal to work with Mr Berlusconi. | His candidacy for prime minister emerged after the PD leader, Pier Luigi Bersani, announced his resignation following a party rebellion over his choice for Italian president and his refusal to work with Mr Berlusconi. |
| The third strongest force to emerge from the Italian election, the Five Star movement led by former comedian, Beppe Grillo, has refused to take part in a coalition with the two main parties. | The third strongest force to emerge from the Italian election, the Five Star movement led by former comedian, Beppe Grillo, has refused to take part in a coalition with the two main parties. |
| He likened such a coalition to "an orgy worthy of the best of bunga bunga" in a barb directed at Mr Berlusconi's renowned private parties. | He likened such a coalition to "an orgy worthy of the best of bunga bunga" in a barb directed at Mr Berlusconi's renowned private parties. |
| President Napolitano, who is serving an unprecedented second term, has suggested he might resign if the new government fails to enact reforms. | President Napolitano, who is serving an unprecedented second term, has suggested he might resign if the new government fails to enact reforms. |