Berlusconi forms 60th Italian government

Silvio Berlusconi on Saturday was sworn in as Italian prime minister of the nation's 60th government,ending a political crisis which had threatened to topple him from power.

The center-right leader, who has been in the driving seat sinceMay 2001, was sworn in at brief ceremony presided over by President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi.

The prime minister is now hoping his revamped executive will ensure he completes his full, five-year term.

Berlusconi is keeping most ministers in their old jobs, including Gianfranco Fini, head of the National Alliance party, who remains foreign minister and deputy premier.

He also brought back his longtime ally Giulio Tremonti as deputy premier.

Berlusconi's new government confirmed the three porfolios held by the Northern League, whose reform plan devolving powers from the State to the regions has created tensions with AN and the UDC.

In particular, the League retained its cherished reform portfolio which it regards as a symbol of the coalition's commitment to carrying out its reforms.

The UDC also retained three ministries but its leader Marco Follini will no longer serve as deputy premier while Rocco Buttiglione, who made world headlines last year after being rejected as European Commissioner because of his staunchly Catholic views on homosexuality and matrimony, was promoted from European Union policy minister to the more weighty post of cultureminister.

Another new feature of the government was the addition of a portfolio for "development and territorial unity", assigned to Gianfranco Micciche' of Forza Italia.

Berlusconi formed his new Cabinet in an attempt to avoid early elections. With the reconstituted government - a technique used bypast Italian premiers to strengthen faltering coalitions - Berlusconi aims to improve his sagging popularity and remain in power until the next election, scheduled for mid-2006.

His choices must now be confirmed in both houses of parliament,where he will face a confirmation vote next week.

Source: Xinhua