Italy’s Coalition Parties Pick Political Novice to Lead

Leaders of 5 Star and League choose an academic, Giuseppe Conte, to head the government, allowing them to lead from behind the scenes

ROME—Italy’s two anti-establishment parties chose a political novice to become the country’s next prime minister, allowing party leaders to potentially act as the powers behind the throne.

The 5 Star Movement, a large upstart party, and the right-wing League proposed Giuseppe Conte, an academic and lawyer with virtually no political experience as their compromise candidate to lead their new coalition government. Mr. Conte must still be approved by Italian President Sergio Mattarella.

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