News Analysis: New Italian government expected to solve political crisis

The cabinet of Italy's newly-appointed Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni was sworn in on Monday, paving the way to solve the government crisis set off by the resignation of former prime minister Matteo Renzi on Dec. 7.

The new government led by Gentiloni is Italy's 64th government since its foundation as a republic by popular referendum in June 1948.

It needs to deal with several tasks upon its formation, including a new electoral law, steering Italy towards a general election, overseeing a massive relief and reconstruction efforts following devastating August and October earthquakes in central Italy that caused billions in damages, implementing the previous government's 2017 budget, and meeting key international affairs dates such as the anniversary of the Treaty of Rome in March and a Group of Seven (G7) summit in Italy in May.

The most pressing task ahead for the fledgling government is next Thursday's European Union summit, where Italy's budget will be on the agenda.

Gentiloni served as foreign minister under the previous administration of center-left Matteo Renzi, who resigned after almost some 60 percent of voters rejected his constitutional reform law in a Yes/No referendum on Dec. 4.

Gentiloni appointed five new ministers, and reconfirmed 12 in their portfolios.

New faces include former CGIL union organizer and Senator Valeria Fedeli as minister of education, former magistrate and PD Senate caucus whip Anna Finocchiaro as relations with parliament minister, former Renzi undersecretary Marco Minniti as interior minister, former cabinet secretary Luca Lotti as sports minister, and ex-government undersecretary Claudio De Vincenti to head up a new ministry for the South.

Political observers say this appointment represents Gentiloni's attempt to remedy the situation in Italy's chronically impoverished southern regions, where unemployment runs high and many ballots against Renzi's constitutional reform came from.

"The government will continue carrying out the innovative action undertaken so far by the Renzi government," Gentiloni said, adding that his administration will work with other political forces in parliament to "identify new rules for an electoral law".

The brand-new prime minister, who was designated by President Sergio Mattarella one week after Sunday's referendum, said he will lay out his government's agenda Tuesday in the Lower House where he will ask for a vote of confidence in his administration.

A request for a Senate confidence vote will come the following day, said the new government head.

However, the new government lineup is mainly made up of Democratic Party (PD) members after the other major political parties refused to take part in.

Renzi has called on the PD to get ready for the "imminent" election and called an early party congress and primaries.

Observers believe, though the political crisis has been relieved temporarily after the new government was born, the political parties still try to vie for the next election possibly within this year. Endit