Italy president summons PM candidate
Italy's president yesterday summoned Giuseppe Conte as he prepared to announce whether he will appoint the little-known lawyer to lead a government formed by far-right and anti-establishment groups.
Italian media said claims that Conte had exaggerated his CV had delayed President Sergio Mattarella's decision on whether to approve him as premier.
Media also reported there were worries over the choice of an anti-euro economy minister by the parties, whose combative stance towards Brussels has caused fears for European financial stability.
But Mattarella's office later said Conte was summoned to the presidential palace at 1530 GMT.
The anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) and the anti-immigrant League nominated Conte, 54, for premier on Monday. But scandal soon struck over doubts about his claims to have studied at certain top world universities.
"Conte betrayed by his CV," ran a headline in left-leaning newspaper La Republicca.
"The CV affair is open, Conte is hanging in the balance," said Il Corriere della Sera.
The parties are seeking to form a coalition government in a bid to end two months of political deadlock.
Mattarella must agree to the parties' candidate and ministerial team before they can seek approval for the new government in parliament.
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