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Sunday, November 13, 2011

Mario Monti on the hot seat as new Italian Premier

Only a day after the exit of Berlusconi, Giorgio Napolitano as the President of Italy gave his formal approval to Mario Monti to become the new Prime Minister on Sunday. In doing so, the cool and competent 68-year-old Monti has replaced the charismatic and flamboyant Silvio Berculoni to head Italy. Lovingly called ‘Super Monti’, the new Italian Premier has recently received the “senator for life” title from the Italian President for his distinguished role as an economist and as ex-European Commissioner.

It is said that Mario Monti had initially showed interest to form a coalition government, but after most of the major parties showed their reluctance, that idea was shelved. It is now expected that the new cabinet would consist largely of technocrats.

As the new Italian Premier, Mario’s priority will be to implement austerity measures, arrest Italy’s piling debt crisis and win back the confidence of financial markets. Not an easy task, considering that Monti will be closely watched not only by his own country, but also by the EU leaders and skeptical investors. It is indeed ‘the’ testing time for Italy’s Super Mario and also a nerve-racking moment for Europe who are desperate to cut back on Euro risk (currency).

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