Italy’s new Prime Minister: Who is Paolo Gentiloni?

 The former Foreign Minister was chosen by President Sergio Mattarella to replace Mr Renzi, who stepped down after Italy voted against his proposed constitutional reform in a referendum on Sunday December 4.

Mr Gentiloni accepted the role “with reserve” – as is normal in such situations. He will form a government over the next few days and is expected to retain many of Mr Renzi’s Cabinet ministers.

The 62-year-old will be tasked with passing new electoral reform before the next general election.Earlier this year, a law known as Italicum was passed to change the way in which parliamentary seats are assigned. But the law only applies to Italy’s lower chamber, as Mr Renzi’s proposals would have transformed the upper chamber into an indirectly elected senate.

President Mattarella has said that both houses must be bought in line before the next general election, currently due to be held in May 2018.

The populist Five Star Movement (MS5) has called for an early vote following Mr Renzi’s resignation and stand to make gains under the current electoral system.

The new Prime Minister also faces a growing banking crisis. Monte dei Pashci, the country’s oldest bank, has been refused help from the European Central Bank leading to fears that the Italian government maybe forced to nationalise the struggling lender.

Who is Paolo Gentiloni?

Mr Gentiloni has been dubbed “Paolo the Cold” by Italy’s La Stampa newspaper due to his business-like nature, which is “the complete opposite of Matteo Renzi”.

The former journalist was born in Rome to an aristocratic family and holds the title of Nobile. He is related to Vincenzo Ottorino Gentiloni, the former leader of the Catholic Electoral Union.

He studied political sciences at university and worked for an environmental magazine before moving into politics as an aide to Francesco Rutelli, the former Mayor or Rome.

He was elected to parliament in 2001 and served as Communications Minister from 2006 until the Democratic Party’s defeat in 2008.

In 2014 he was appointed Foreign Minister despite lacking experience in international diplomacy.

Like his predecessor, Mr Gentiloni is a centre-left Democratic loyalist. Critics including members of MS5 have already accused him of being a puppet of Mr Renzi’s, who remains leader of the Democratic Party.

La Repubblica’s Goffredo De Marchis wrote: “Time will tell if he has what it takes to be a leader, or if he will govern according to the wishes of Renzi and the Democratic Party.”

This article was taken from express.co.uk and available here : http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/742486/Italy-new-Prime-Minister-Paolo-Gentiloni-who-is-profile-italian