dpa
Rome
Italy’s new Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has taken over her official duties, after symbolic handing over of the bell by her predecessor Mario Draghi at the Chigi Palace, the official residence of Italian prime ministers, on Sunday.
Meloni, who heads the far-right Fratelli d’Italia party (Brothers of Italy), and her newly sworn-in Cabinet then held their first meeting.
Before the ceremonial handover, Draghi and Meloni had a lengthy conversation, although it was not initially clear what they discussed.
Meanwhile Pope Francis prayed “for the unity and peace of Italy” after Sunday’s Angelus prayer in St Peter’s Square in Rome.
Next, Meloni’s government needs to be confirmed through a vote of confidence in both chambers of parliament, which is expected to take place early next the week.
After last month’s elections, the right-wing coalition has an absolute majority in both chambers and is to be governed by a coalition that also includes the far-right League party led by Matteo Salvini and centre-right Forza Italia (Forward/Let’s Go Italy) party led by former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.
The government’s first moves will be watched with interest. Meloni emerged as the clear winner in last month’s parliamentary election with her Brothers of Italy taking 26% of the vote. The ultra-right party with fascist roots was previously only a small opposition party in parliament.
Under the new right-wing government, Italy’s stance on migration is likely to become more hostile. The alliance also stressed that it would work harder for Italy’s interests.
Meloni’s attitude towards the EU has also caused concern in Europe.
Recently, she declared that Italy would remain fully part of Europe and the Atlantic alliance, however.
Several Italian media outlets reported that Meloni is due to meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Rome on Monday. He is travelling to the Italian capital on Sunday ahead of a private audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican a day later.
Any meeting between Meloni and Macron would also be seen as an important signal for cooperation between the two countries.
