Monti government

On 9 November 2011, Mario Monti an economist and former European Commissioner was appointed a senator for life by Italian President Giorgio Napolitano.^[7] He was seen as a favourite to replace Silvio Berlusconi and lead a new unity government in Italy in order to implement reforms and austerity measures.^[8] The ultimate purpose of Monti's appointment was to save Italy from the eurozone sovereign debt crisis.^[9]

On 12 November 2011, following Berlusconi's resignation, Napolitano asked Monti to form a new government.^[10] Monti accepted, and held talks with the leaders of the main Italian political parties, declaring that he wanted to form a government that would remain in office until the next scheduled general elections in 2013.^[11] On 16 November 2011, Monti was sworn in as Prime Minister of Italy, after making known a technocratic government composed entirely of unelected professionals.^[12] He also chose to hold personally the post of Minister of Economy and Finance.^[13][14] His tenure in the latter post lasted until 11 July 2012 when Vittorio Grilli, previously vice-minister, became Minister.^[15]

On 17 and 18 November 2011, the Italian Senate and Italian Chamber of Deputies both passed motions of confidence supporting Monti's government, with only the Northern League voting against.^[16][17]

On 9 October 2012, Interior Minister Anna Maria Cancellieri sacked the municipal administration of Reggio Calabria (mayor, assessors, councillors) for alleged links to the organised crime syndicate 'Ndrangheta after a months long investigation and replaced it with three central government appointed administrators to govern for 18 months until a new election in 2014. This was the first time the government of a provincial capital had been dismissed.^[20]

• Government of Experts