Giorgia Meloni was sworn in as Italy’s first woman prime minister on Saturday along with her cabinet team, giving the country its most right-wing government since World War II.
Meloni, head of Italy’s nationalist Brotherhood, won elections last month as part of a coalition that included Forza Italia, led by former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, and Matteo Salvini’s League.
“I swear to be loyal to the republic,” said the 45-year-old Meloni under the crystal chandeliers of a frescoed room, before shaking hands with the president, Sergio Mattarella.
Her government, the 12th of this century, replaces an administration of national unity led by former European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi.
She faces a number of daunting challenges, particularly a looming recession, rising energy bills and how to present a united front on the war in Ukraine.
While Meloni has pledged support for Ukraine, Berlusconi has repeatedly underplayed it, blaming Kiev for the Russian invasion and revealing that he had exchanged gifts and “sweet letters” with his old friend, Russian President Vladimir Putin.
After days of often tense talks, Meloni unveiled her team on Friday, giving five ministers each to her junior partners, the League and Forza Italia, while reserving nine cabinet posts for her party.
Technocrats make up the rest of the 24-strong squad, which includes just six women.