Giuseppe Conte
| Giuseppe Conte | |
Prime Minister of Italy
| |
| In office June 1, 2018 – February 13, 2021 | |
| President | Sergio Mattarella |
|---|---|
| Preceded by | Paolo Gentiloni |
| Succeeded by | Mario Draghi |
| Born | August 8, 1964 (age 56) Volturara Appula, Italy |
| Political party | Independent (until 2021)
|
| Spouse(s) | Valentina Fico (divorced) |
| Alma mater | Sapienza University |
Giuseppe Conte (born August 8, 1964) was the prime minister of Italy, serving from June 1, 2018 until February 13, 2021. His government is a coalition between the Five Star Movement and the conservative Lega Nord, with Matteo Salvini being in his cabinet as Interior Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.
Contents
Italian prime minister
League–M5S government
Early in his premiership, Conte developed good relations with U.S. President Donald Trump due to their general agreement on various policies.[1][2]
Because of conservative Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, the Conte government developed a strong stance on immigration. However, in a leaked audio recording, Conte privately admitted to Angela Merkel that he disagreed with Salvini's policies and actually favored an "open borders" migration policy.[3]
The government relaxed mandatory vaccine regulations, making it easier for parents to prove their children were vaccinated.[4][5]
In December 2018, Conte stated that "if populism means giving sovereignty back to the people, we are proud to call ourselves populists."[6] He also made statements critical of the European Union.[7]
Conte moved to have Italy join China's Belt and Road Initiative, something supported by the M5S, though the League opposed the action.[8][9] Conte also attacked the Salvini's conservative immigration policies.[10]
On August 20, 2019, Conte announced his resignation as prime minister, seeking to blame Salvini.[11]
Democrat–M5S government
Conte publicly revealed himself to oppose conservative immigration policies after announcing a coalition government[12] with the far-left Italian Democratic Party and M5S.[13]
References
- ↑ Lyman, Eric J. (June 20, 2018). Trump, new Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte forge unlikely bond. The Washington Times. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
- ↑ Trump praises Conte as 'very strong' on immigration. The Local. June 15, 2018. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
- ↑ Tomlinson, Chris (February 3, 2019). Leaked Audio Reveals Italian PM Telling Merkel ‘Salvini is Against Everyone’. Breitbart News. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
- ↑ Giuffrida, Angela (July 11, 2018). Rise of Italian populist parties buoys anti-vaccine movement. The Guardian. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
- ↑ Mandatory vaccinations: Italian parents will no longer need to provide doctor's note. The Local. July 6, 2018. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
- ↑ Williams, Thomas D. (December 11, 2018). Italy’s Giuseppe Conte: We Are ‘Proud to Call Ourselves Populists’. Breitbart News. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
- ↑ Friedman, Victoria (February 13, 2019). Verhofstadt on a Roll, Calls Italian President ‘Puppet’ of Populists. Breitbart News. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
- ↑ Italy, China sign accord deepening economic ties. Washington Examiner (from the Associated Press). March 23, 2019. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
- ↑ Vagnoni, Giselda (March 23, 2019). Italy endorses China's Belt and Road plan in first for a G7 nation. Reuters. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Jones, Gavin (August 15, 2019). Italian PM blasts immigration-'obsessive' Salvini as League's election bid falters. Reuters. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
- D'Emilio, Frances (August 15, 2019). Italy’s PM: Salvini ‘obsessed’ with blocking migrants at sea. Associated Press. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
- Jacob, Manon (August 15, 2019). Italian government crisis spills over into migrant boat drama. Politico. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Tomlinson, Chris (August 20, 2019). Italian PM Resigns, Attacks Populist Salvini As Government Collapses. Breitbart News. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
- Walker, Marcus (August 20, 2019). Italian Prime Minister to Resign, Declaring End of Coalition. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
- D'Emilio, Frances (August 20, 2019). Italian premier to quit, blaming deputy for political crisis. Associated Press. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
- ↑ Zampano, Giada (August 29, 2019). Italy’s soft-spoken Conte raises his voice, wins new mandate. Associated Press. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
- ↑ Friedman, Victoria (August 29, 2019). Conte Vows a More ‘Inclusive’ Italy Under Left-Wing Govt After Populists Pull Plug on Coalition. Breitbart News. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
