Italy PM-designate Enrico Letta agrees new government

A deal on the formation of a new three party coalition government, with a technocratic involvement, was reached in Italy on the 27 April 2013, ending two months of political deadlock since the general election in February 2013.

The agreement was announced after Prime Minister-designate Enrico Letta met President Giorgio Napolitano.

The coalition brought together Mr Letta's Democratic Party (PD) and the People of Freedom party (PDL) of former PM Silvio Berlusconi.

The government was sworn in on the 28 April 2013 with Mr Letta as Prime Minister.

The new government faced immediate challenges to deal with the serious economic situation in Italy.

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