Italy successfully ejects far-right leader Salvini as new government is sworn in

Matteo Salvini, leader of League party, claims ‘strong powers’ in Europe behind new coalition

Italy’s new government was sworn in on Thursday after the pro-European Democratic Party (PD) joined the anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) in an unlikely alliance that has forced the far-right out of power.

Giuseppe Conte, the independent prime minister, led his new team of seven women and 14 men in a swearing-in ceremony in the presidential palace.

Mr Conte’s first, 14-month-long coalition, collapsed after his right-wing League partner, led by Matteo Salvini, pulled out in the hope of triggering an early election he was certain his party would win.

However, Mr Salvini failed to foresee that M5S and the PD would put aside their differences and form an unlikely alliance.

Former PD prime minister Paolo Gentiloni looks set to become Italy’s next EU commissioner and the party has taken charge of the economy ministry and the European affairs ministry – appointments which should guarantee improved relations with Brussels and be welcomed by financial markets.

In the clearest break from the past government, the interior ministry, previously headed by Mr Salvini, was handed to migration specialist Luciana Lamorgese.

Unlike Mr Salvini, who critics said spent more time on Twitter than in his ministry, Ms Lamorgese has no social media presence and will adopt a much lower profile than her predecessor as she works with Brussels to draw up new migration rules.

By the middle of May, Mr Salvini was reported to have only gone to his ministry for 17 days since the start of the year, a figure he has not publicly disputed.

The government will need to win confidence motions in the lower and upper houses of parliament before it can become fully operational.

Mr Conte is expected to win both votes, which are slated for Monday and Tuesday.

However, his government will only have a slender majority in the upper house Senate, which could cause trouble when particularly sensitive legislation is put before the house.

As the new cabinet was sworn in, Mr Salvini said “strong powers” within Europe were behind the new coalition.

“It won’t last long,” he tweeted. “Opposition in parliament, in town halls and in the squares, then finally we will vote and win.”

Additional reporting by agencies