Newspapers from all over the world keep their eyes focused on the evolution of Italian politics. Who at the moment has very little politics. In addition to the bizarre composition of professors and bankers, the main fear is that the euphoria that has followed the Berlusconi's resignation was excessive and that for the markets this new government is not enough to restore confidence in Italy. Furthermore, in the world, one wonders whether it will be the government of technicians who will find the solution to restore the country's weak economy. Governments have been trying for years. Was the problem just politics or are the causes deeper and will it be difficult to see results in the short term?
United States
THE NEW YORK TIMES: “Mario Monti has declared that the lack of politicians in his new government is the key to his independence. But it remains to be seen whether he will be able to strike the blow that Italy needs to change the laws and customs of a welfare state that dates back to the post-war period and is based on a political clientelism that has been going on for centuries."
WASHINGTON POST: “The Italian economy is hampered by high labor costs, low productivity, huge salaries for politicians, excessive taxation, suffocating bureaucracy and low numbers of college graduates. But Monti believes that Italy can defeat the crisis if all its divided citizens come together."
WALL STREET JOURNAL: “The new government will immediately be put under pressure to adopt measures capable of stimulating the now stagnant Italian economy and to reduce the country's enormous 1.900 trillion euro debt. But it won't be an easy task. For decades, governments have tried to shake up the status quo but failed.”
UK
THE GUARDIAN: “The new 17-strong government will be able to apply formidable intellectual firepower on Italy's daunting situation. More than a third of the seats will be filled by professors.”
THE TELEGRAPH: "Almost none of the new appointees is known by a common average citizen, yet for many Italians this is precisely the strength of the new government."
Spain
EL PAIS: “The new government headed by Mario Monti, as the President of the Republic Giorgio Napolitano has pointed out, is the supreme test for Italy. It's the last chance. Can't be wrong. And it won't go wrong."
THE WORLD: “The new government in Italy has been formed. And it will be Mario Monti, the new prime minister, who will take on the most delicate task at the moment: the economy.”
France
CHALLENGES: “SuperMario reassures Italy with his Northern Italian British elegance, his extreme courtesy, his fluency in speaking languages. The professor is lucid, precise and considered, a "homme des lumières" at the antipodes of his predecessor Silvio Berlusconi."
LES ECHOS: With the statements that followed the decision to appoint Passera to the ministry of economic development, Mario Monti "underlined how the previous executive had not pursued any economic policy worthy of the name, neither during the three-year economic crisis ago nor in recent months during the sovereign debt crisis”.
Brazil
ESTADAO: “Professor Monti has to resolve two primary questions. First of all, the new Italian government needs to inspire more confidence in the bond markets that it can service its debts. Secondly, and even more importantly, Italy will have to drastically change its political culture”.
Russia
NTV (HTB): “In the new Italian government we see faces unknown to most Italians, but well known among high circles: from Phds to bankers and expert managers. The “Bunga-bunga” era is over and the “bank-bank” era begins.
China
CHINADAILY: “Monti unleashed his team, made up of experts in their respective fields and no politician. It is the 61st government since the proclamation of the Republic after the Second World War”.
India
TIMES OF INDIA: “Monti is expected to pass his economic program with large votes in Parliament this Thursday. However he could run into violent opposition as he tries to implement tough long-term reforms.”
South Africa
THE STAR: “Monti is a sober and reserved figure who contrasts with his flamboyant predecessor Silvio Berlusconi. The professor said he is confident that his government will be able to calm the markets which have now reached a point of panic as the European debt crisis continues to spread ”.
