ROME: Italy’s head of state gave two former political enemies the chance to form a new government on Thursday, capping an extraordinary three weeks that could mark a turning point in its frayed relations with the European Union.
President Sergio Mattarella handed Giuseppe Conte a fresh mandate to put together a new coalition of the 5-Star Movement and opposition Democratic Party (PD), a presidential official said.
Conte resigned last week after the far-right League party withdrew from its coalition with the 5-Star, forcing Mattarella to consult with all Italy’s main political parties to try to find a way out of the political crisis.
Both 5-Star and the PD told the president on Wednesday they were willing to lay aside their long-standing animosity and try to form an administration with Conte, an academic considered close to 5-Star, at the helm.
