The first Conte government was the 65th government of the Italian Republic. It was led by Giuseppe Conte, an independent politician, and it was in office from 1 June 2018 to 5 September 2019. The government was described as populist and the first of that kind in Europe; its policies, more specifically those of the League (Lega), were described by Italian media as souverainist.
The cabinet (known in Italy as the Council of Ministers) was formed by a coalition between the anti-establishment and populist Five Star Movement (M5S) and the right-wing populist Lega but also contained some independents proposed by each party (including the Prime Minister of Italy). It was referred to as the "government of change" () after the title of the political agreement signed by the two parties, or the "yellow-green government" (), based on their customary colours, even if Lega originally preferred "yellow-blue government" () due to its new campaign colour under Matteo Salvini's leadership.
Supporting parties PartyMain ideologyLeaderFive Star Movement (M5S)Populism, direct democracyLuigi Di MaioLeague (Lega)Right-wing populism, federalismMatteo Salvini At its birth, in addition to the M5S and Lega, the first Conte government was supported by the Associative Movement of Italians Abroad (MAIE), five deputies and two senators previously expelled from the M5S, one dissident senator from the South American Union Italian Emigrants (USEI),"Si rafforzano i numeri di Conte al Senato, tocca quota 171 sì". who later joined the MAIE, and one deputy of Forza Italia (FI), who sarcastically voted in favour of it."Sgarbi vota la fiducia a Conte" . Ricardo Merlo, the leader of MAIE, was also named Undersecretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 12 June 2018. The government was also supported by the National Movement for Sovereignty (MNpS), the Sardinian Action Party (PSdA), and the Italian Liberal Party (PLI), whose senators sat in the Lega group. Brothers of Italy (FdI),"Meloni: «Astensione sulla fiducia, ma voteremo i provvedimenti buoni»". the parties representing linguistic minorities, such as the Valdostan Union (UV), South Tyrolean People's Party (SVP), and Trentino Tyrolean Autonomist Party (PATT), and one deputy from USEI did not support the government but affirmed their willingness to vote for measures that reflect their respective ideologies."Governo Conte, i numeri dei voti di fiducia: la maggioranza senza pensieri (anche grazie a ex M5s e sudamericani)".
History Background and formation
The March 2018 general election resulted in a hung parliament. The M5S led by Luigi Di Maio resulted as the party with the largest number of votes and parliamentary seats, whereas the centre-right coalition in which Salvini's Lega emerged as the main political force won a plurality of seats both in the Chamber of Deputies and in the Senate of the Republic. The centre-left coalition, built around the Democratic Party (PD) led by former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, came third. On 9 May, after weeks of political deadlock and failing attempts to form a cabinet, including possible M5S–centre-right coalition and M5S–PD coalitions, Di Maio and Salvini officially requested President Sergio Mattarella to concede them 24 hours more to strike a government agreement between their two parties. In the evening, Silvio Berlusconi publicly announced that Forza Italia (FI) would not support a M5S–Lega government on a vote of confidence but would still maintain the centre-right coalition, thus opening the door to a possible majority government between the two parties.
On 13 May, the M5S and Lega reached an agreement on a government program; however, they did not find an agreement regarding their proposal for the Prime Minister and the ministers. The M5S and Lega leaders met with President Mattarella on 14 May and asked for an additional week of negotiations. Both parties announced they would ask their respective members to vote on the government agreement by the following weekend. On 21 May, Conte (a private law professor and M5S advisor) was proposed by Di Maio and Salvini for the role of Prime Minister."Chi è Giuseppe Conte, scelto da Luigi Di Maio per la possibile squadra di governo" ."Italy populist government pact: Candidate for prime minister named"."Italian president in talks as populist parties put forward novice for PM".
Despite reports in the media suggesting that President Mattarella had significant reservations about the direction of the new government,"Italy's Populists Move Closer to Power, With Little-Known Pick for Prime Minister". Conte was invited at the Quirinal Palace to receive the presidential mandate to form a new cabinet on 23 May."The Latest: Populists' premier gets presidential mandate" ."Conte giunto al Quirinale per l'incarico". In his statement after the appointment, Conte said that he would be the "defense attorney of Italian people"."Governo, Mattarella conferisce a Conte l'incarico: "Sarò l'avvocato difensore degli italiani". The next day, Conte held talks with all the parliamentary parties; the government formation was soon stuck on the appointment of Paolo Savona as Minister of Economy and Finance, which was unfavoured by President Mattarella, who considered his alleged support for Italy's covert exit from the euro as an overwhelming risk for the country's economy. On 27 May, President Mattarella refused to appoint Savona, and Conte renounced his task after days of negotiation and an ultimatum by the two party leaders on Savona's nomination."Dichiarazione del Presidente della Repubblica Sergio Mattarella al termine del colloquio con il professor Giuseppe Conte"."Governo, Conte rimette l'incarico. M5S: "Il Colle ha posto veto su Savona". Il leader leghista: "Torniamo al voto".
On 28 May, President Mattarella summoned Carlo Cottarelli (a former director of the International Monetary Fund) and gave him the task to form a new government. On the same day, the PD announced that it would abstain from voting the confidence to Cottarelli while the M5S, Lega, FI, and FdI announced that they would have voted against. Cottarelli was expected to submit his list of ministers for approval to President Mattarella on 29 May; however, he held only informal consultations with the Italian President on 29 and 30 May, awaiting the possible formation of a "political government". Meanwhile, Di Maio and Salvini announced their willingness to restart negotiations to form a "political government" and Giorgia Meloni (FdI leader) gave them her support.
On 31 May, the M5S and Lega announced their new agreement on a Conte-led government with Giovanni Tria as Minister of Economy and Finance and Savona as Minister of European Affairs."Lega-5Stelle, intesa sui ministri. Di Maio-Salvini: "Ci sono le condizioni per un governo politico". Tria all'Economia". Subsequently, President Mattarella summoned for the second time Conte, who announced the list of ministers. On 1 June, Prime Minister Conte and his ministers took their oaths of office and were sworn in."Italy swears in first fully populist government". On 5 June, the Senate of the Republic approved the new government in a vote of confidence."Italy's new government wins first confidence vote in Senate". On 6 June, the government was confirmed following the vote of confidence in the Chamber of Deputies."Italy's New Government Wins Confidence Vote in Chamber of Deputies". On 12 June, the cabinet appointed 6 deputy ministers and 39 undersecretaries."Governo Conte: Castelli (M5S) e Garavaglia (Lega) vice di Tria al Mef. In tutto 39 sottosegretari e 6 viceministri"."Giurano i sottosegretari. Ora il governo è al completo (11 donne su 65)"."Governo Conte, le nomine di 39 sottosegretari e 6 viceministri". Of all these appointments, 25 were members of the M5S, 17 were Lega members, two were non-party independents, and one was a member of the MAIE."La squadra di governo è completa: tutte le nomine fatte da Lega e M5s". The M5S received four deputy ministers while Lega received two."Lega-M5S: Di Maio si tiene le telecomunicazioni".
Investiture votes On 5 June 2018, the first Conte government was granted the confidence of the Senate of the Republic by receiving 171 votes in favour and 117 votes against (25 senators abstained; 7 senators did not vote, among which 6 were absent). Senators for life, such as Elena Cattaneo, Mario Monti, and Liliana Segre, abstained while Carlo Rubbia, Renzo Piano, and Giorgio Napolitano did not vote. On 6 June 2018, the Government of Change received the confidence of the Chamber of Deputies by receiving 350 votes in favor and 236 votes against (35 deputies abstained; 8 deputies did not vote, among which 5 were absent).
House of ParliamentVotePartiesVotesSenate of the Republic Yes M5S (109), Lega (58), MAIE (2), Others (2) No FI (57), PD (52), LeU (4), Aut (2), PSI (1), +Eu (1) Abstention FdI (18), Aut (5), Others (2) Chamber of Deputies Yes M5S (219), Lega (124), MAIE (6), FI (1) No PD (110), FI (102), LeU (14), CP–AP–PSI–AC (4), NcI (3), +Eu–CD (3) Abstention FdI (30), SVP–PATT (4), USEI (1)
Resignation
Conte announced his resignation on 20 August 2019, averting a no-confidence vote promoted by Salvini. The same day, President Sergio Mattarella accepted Conte's resignation and announced consultations with party leaders for the next two days. On August 22, Mattarella said some parties were trying to form "a solid majority" and he gave these political parties unti l27 August to report back to him, after which he would hold two more days of consultations. On 29 August, Mattarella tasked Conte with the formation of a new cabinet, a coalition of the M5S and the PD, which became known as the "yellow-red government" () due to their party colours. As customary, the Prime Minister-designate reserved the right to accept the mandate, pending further talks with both parties.
Party breakdown
Beginning of term Ministers Five Star Movement8 League5 Independents6
Ministers and other members Five Star Movement (M5S): 8 ministers, 4 deputy ministers, 21 undersecretaries League (Lega): 5 ministers, 3 deputy ministers, 15 undersecretaries Associative Movement of Italians Abroad (MAIE): 1 undersecretary Independents: Prime minister, 5 ministers, 2 undersecretaries
End of term Ministers Five Star Movement8 League6 Independents5
Ministers and other members Five Star Movement (M5S): 8 ministers, 4 deputy ministers, 21 undersecretaries League (Lega): 6 ministers, 3 deputy ministers, 15 undersecretaries Associative Movement of Italians Abroad (MAIE): 1 undersecretary Independents: Prime minister, 4 ministers, 2 undersecretaries
Geographical breakdown
Beginning of term Northern Italy: 9 ministers Lombardy: 6 ministers Veneto: 3 ministers Central Italy: 2 ministers Lazio: 2 ministers Southern and Insular Italy: 8 ministers (including Conte) Sicily: 3 ministers Apulia: 2 ministers (including Conte) Campania: 2 ministers Sardinia: 1 minister
End of term Northern Italy: 10 ministers Lombardy: 7 ministers Veneto: 3 ministers Central Italy: 2 ministers Lazio: 2 ministers Southern and Insular Italy: 7 ministers (including Conte) Sicily: 3 ministers Apulia: 2 ministers (including Conte) Campania: 2 ministers
Council of Ministers