May 22, 2018

Italy’s populist parties named a little-known law professor as their candidate for prime minister yesterday, drawing accusations that he is a front man who can become a scapegoat.

The Five Star Movement and the anti-migrant League asked President Mattarella’s approval to appoint Giuseppe Conte as prime minister as they edged closer to forming western Europe’s first populist government.

The president’s office said that he would discuss the proposal with the heads of the upper and lower houses of parliament today.

Mr Conte, 53, an academic at Florence University who has never stood for election and has no practical political experience, will have the tough task of carrying out the massive tax cuts and spending increases promised by the League and Five Star, which could push up Italy’s huge debt and break EU spending limits.

Read more:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/world/leader-or-scapegoat-lawyer-to-be-italian-pm-frr2xqh65