Italy’S anti-establishment political leaders
Matteo Salvini and
Luigi Di Maio have agreed to form a coalition government between
Lega and the
Five Star Movement.
In a joint statement from Di Maio and Salvini, they said: “The conditions for a political government have been found.”
Lega leader Salvini and M5S leader Di Maio have agreed on a list of ministers which have been sent to President Sergio Mattarella.
Salvini said on Facebook: ““Commitment, coherence, listening skulls, hard work, patience, common sense, head and hearts for the good of Italian.
“We are finally there, maybe, after so many obstacles, attacks, threats and lies. Thanks for your trust, my friends. I love you and know I will need you.”
“It has been long hard work but we have done it,” he added.
The populist coalition have nominated Giuseppe Conte, a 53-year-old law professor who has no history in politics, for the role as Prime Minister.
He had previously given up a mandate to form a government at the weekend after Italy’s President Mattarella rejected the parties' choice for economy minister.
Giovanni Tria, a little known economics professor, is expected to get the key economy ministry job, party sources said.
The previous nomination for the role eurosceptic economist Paolo Savona, 81, who had been vetoed by President Sergio Mattarella, will become the Italy’s new European affairs minister.
Trip has been a critic of the European Union’s economic governance, but has not gone as far as Savona’s calls for Italy to abandon the euro.
Assuming the new coalition government gets a green light from President Mattarella, Di Maio is expected to work in a combined role of Deputy Prime minister and Work and Development Secretary.
Salvini is expected to work in a combined role of Deputy Prime minister and Home Secretary.
Enzo Moavero, a former EU affairs minister under the technocratic government of Mario Monti, will be foreign minister.
Italy had been in a state of political stalemate after President Mattarella appointed former International Monetary Fund official Carlo Cottarelli as interim prime minister after Mr Conte gave up a mandate to form a government.
Salvini and Di Maio have been in talks today to try and reach an agreement.
Earlier today Salvini told reporters: "You will have to be patient," as he arrived at Rome airport when asked about a possible solution to the crisis.
Global markets have been recovering over the past two days after tumbling earlier this week over the possibility of another Italian election, which was expected to be dominated by debate over the country's future in the euro zone.
Nigel Farage was quick to send his support to the populist coalition via Twitter.
“Congratulation and all good wishes to the new Italian Government. Stay strong!” He tweeted.