
Italy has sworn in an anti-establishment government headed by a political novice who has never held public office before, following almost three months of political drama.
Giuseppe Conte, a 53-year-old law professor, was chosen as prime minister by the leaders of the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement and the right-wing nationalist League.
The deal ends a deadlock that followed an inconclusive election on 4 March.
In Rome's gilded Quirinale Palace, President Sergio Mattarella swore in 18 new ministers including anti-establishment figures, right-wingers and some technocrats.
Promoting an "Italy first" agenda that has alarmed the European political establishment, the government aims to cut taxes, boost welfare spending and overhaul European rules on budgets and immigration.

Its policies include a monthly basic income for Italy's poorest and a two-tier tax system.
League chief Matteo Salvini, a hardline anti-migrant figure, was appointed interior minister, and has pledged the deportations of irregular migrants and a crackdown on people smuggling.
"The new right is in power," left-leaning newspaper La Repubblica wrote.
:: All you need to know about Italy's new Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte
Mr Conte, a professor who has been accused of embellishing his 12-page CV, emerged as a compromise candidate between the two largest parties.
He raised eyebrows when claims he had "perfected and updated his studies" at New York University were thrown into doubt by administrators who said he showed up in library admissions, but not student enrolments.
"I used to vote left," Italian media has quoted him as saying. "Today, I think that the ideologies of the 20th century are no longer adequate."

Luigi Di Maio, who heads the 5-Star Movement, was made minister for economic development while minister for public administration is lawyer Giulia Bongiorno, who defended the ex-boyfriend of Amanda Knox against murder charges.
Milan's stock market rose on Friday, after the deal was reached late on Thursday evening. The swearing in ends the possibility of a repeat vote, which had prompted a selloff in Italian financial markets this week.
European Council President Donald Tusk congratulated the new prime minister, saying the appointment "comes at a crucial time for Italy and the European Union".
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"To overcome our common challenges, we need unity and solidarity more than ever," he added.
The government will face confidence votes in both houses of parliament next week, and is expected to win them.
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