Giuseppe Conte accepts role as Italy prime minister as populist parties revive coalition

Giuseppe Conte will be sworn in as Italy’s prime minister after accepting a role in the country’s new populist government.

The president's office announced Thursday that Mr Conte had accepted the role and would be sworn in Friday afternoon with cabinet ministers.

Mr Conte read the list of ministers and told reporters in a brief statement: “We will work with determination to improve the quality of life of all Italians.”

The announcement demonstrated that president Sergio Mattarella has accepted the cabinet chosen by the anti-establishment Five Star Movement and League parties at their second attempt of forming a government.

Mr Mattarella last week vetoed the populists’ original choice for finance minister, the Eurosceptic professor Paolo Savona, threatening to scupper any coalition deal.