ROME—Mario Draghi, the former head of the European Central Bank, was sworn in as prime minister on Saturday to lead a unity government that has to steer Italy out of the coronavirus crisis and an economic slump. All but one of Italy’s major parties have rallied to his side and his cabinet includes lawmakers from…
Italy’s 5-Star Gets in Tangle Over Draghi
ROME—Italy’s 5-Star Movement struggled on Feb. 10 to quell its deep divisions over Mario Draghi’s drive to form a government that risks tearing apart the anti-establishment party and delaying the creation of the Cabinet. Party leaders who met Draghi on Feb. 6 and again on Feb. 9 had sounded upbeat about the prospects of joining…
The Sublime ‘Church of Gold’: St. Mark’s Basilica, in Venice, Italy
From dawn to dusk, the golden mosaics on the façade of St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice shimmer and shine to differing degrees. The constantly shifting sunlight seems to bring endless dramatic effects to the mosaic pictures that depict mainly religious life. The mosaics were first created in 1071, and developed over eight centuries to cover around…
Italy’s Draghi Wins Support of 2 Rival Parties for New Government
MILAN—Italian Premier-designate Mario Draghi on Saturday secured preliminary support from two key parties for forming a new government that will decide how to spend more than 200 billion euros ($240 billion) in European Union funds to help relaunch Italy’s pandemic-ravaged economy. The populist 5-Star Movement and the right-wing League both signaled support for a Draghi-led…
Italy’s Draghi Looks to Fractured Parties to Back New Government
ROME—Former European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi was due to start talks with Italy’s divided political parties on Thursday to seek backing for a new government to deal with the entwined health and economic crises. Draghi, one of the most respected figures in Italy who has received a mandate from the head of state to…
Italians Flock Back to Coffee Bars as COVID-19 Restrictions Eased
ROME—The familiar tinkling of ceramic cups and chatter returned to coffee bars across most of Italy on Monday, as rigid COVID-19 restrictions were eased. After severe curbs over the Christmas and New Year period, two-thirds of Italy was declared a “yellow zone” allowing bars in those less risky areas to serve customers at counters and…
Italian Prime Minister Conte to Resign on Tuesday, Seek Fresh Mandate
ROME—Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte will hand in his resignation to the head of state on Tuesday after a morning cabinet meeting to inform his ministers, Conte’s office said. The prime minister, who has been in office since June 2018, hopes President Sergio Mattarella will give him a mandate to form a new government with…
Italy Suspends Flights From Brazil in Response to New Coronavirus Variant
MILAN—Italy is suspending flights from Brazil, Health Minister Roberto Speranza said on Saturday, in response to a new coronavirus variant. Anyone who has transited Brazil in the last 14 days is also prohibited from entering Italy, he said on Facebook, while people arriving in Italy from Brazil will be required to take a test for…
Italian Coalition Ally Withdraws Ministers, Sparking Political Crisis
ROME—Matteo Renzi, a former Italian premier, withdrew his party’s ministers on Jan. 13 from Premier Giuseppe Conte’s government, triggering a political crisis in the middle of a pandemic that might lead to a revamped Cabinet, a different coalition leader, or even an early election that opposition right-wing parties hope will bring them to power. Renzi,…
Italian Government Totters as Conte, Renzi Divide Deepens
ROME—Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte faces a showdown with his coalition partner and former premier Matteo Renzi this week that could bring down his government even as it struggles to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Long-strained relations between the two men have deteriorated markedly in recent weeks, with Renzi calling for radical changes to plans to…
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