Monti named to head new Italy government

Mario Monti

ROME, (Reuters) – Italy’s president appointed  former European Commissioner Mario Monti yesterday to head a new  government charged with implementing urgent reforms to end a  crisis that has endangered the whole euro zone.
After a frenetic weekend during which parliament passed the  reforms and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi stepped down to the  jeers of hostile crowds, President Giorgio Napolitano asked  Monti to form a government, expected to be composed largely of  technocrats.

Mario Monti

The respected economist, made a life Senator last week, said  he would work urgently to form a government and is likely to  name around 12 ministers within days.

“I intend to fulfil this task with a great sense of  responsibility in the service of our country. In a moment of  particular difficulty for Italy, in a turbulent situation for  Europe and the world, the country needs to meet the challenge,”  Monti said after his nomination.