Giuseppe Conte
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.
| Giuseppe Conte | |
Prime Minister of Italy
| |
| In office June 1, 2018 â 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 |
Italian prime minister
LeagueâM5S 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]
DemocratâM5S 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
- â Lyman, Eric J. (June 20, 2018). Trump, new Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte forge unlikely bond. The Washington Times. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
- â Trump praises Conte as 'very strong' on immigration. The Local. June 15, 2018. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
- â Tomlinson, Chris (February 3, 2019). Leaked Audio Reveals Italian PM Telling Merkel âSalvini is Against Everyoneâ. Breitbart News. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
- â Giuffrida, Angela (July 11, 2018). Rise of Italian populist parties buoys anti-vaccine movement. The Guardian. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
- â Mandatory vaccinations: Italian parents will no longer need to provide doctor's note. The Local. July 6, 2018. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
- â Williams, Thomas D. (December 11, 2018). Italyâs Giuseppe Conte: We Are âProud to Call Ourselves Populistsâ. Breitbart News. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
- â Friedman, Victoria (February 13, 2019). Verhofstadt on a Roll, Calls Italian President âPuppetâ of Populists. Breitbart News. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
- â Italy, China sign accord deepening economic ties. Washington Examiner (from the Associated Press). March 23, 2019. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
- â Vagnoni, Giselda (March 23, 2019). Italy endorses China's Belt and Road plan in first for a G7 nation. Reuters. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
- â 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). Italyâs PM: Salvini âobsessedâ 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.
- â 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.
- â Zampano, Giada (August 29, 2019). Italyâs soft-spoken Conte raises his voice, wins new mandate. Associated Press. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
- â Friedman, Victoria (August 29, 2019). Conte Vows a More âInclusiveâ Italy Under Left-Wing Govt After Populists Pull Plug on Coalition. Breitbart News. Retrieved August 29, 2019.