Berlusconi hands over to Prodi

(18 May 2006) SHOTLIST
1. Exterior of Palazzo Chigi, government headquarters
2. Courtyard with honour guard
3. Various of Prodi walking past guard of honour on red carpet
4. Various of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi handing Prodi a silver bell as a symbol of the handing over of power
5. Berlusconi addressing the press and then leaving with Prodi
6. Various of Berlusconi giving farewell salute
7. Berlusconi waving and then getting into car and leaving
STORYLINE
Centre-left leader Romano Prodi was sworn in as Italy's new Prime Minister on Wednesday at the Palazzo Chigi in Rome, and now faces the challenge of kick-starting the country's lagging economy,
His government, a diverse coalition built on a razor thin electoral victory last month, takes over from that of conservative Silvio Berlusconi who was ousted from power.
The reserved former economics professor remains the only man to have defeated Berlusconi in an election and has vowed his government, which is made up of forces as diverse as Communists and Christian Democrats, will last the entire legislature.
In Wednesday's ceremonial handing over of power, Berlusconi offered Prodi a silver bell, normally used by the Prime Minister to call attention during ministerial meetings.
Prodi's taking office ends a five-week political limbo following the bitterly contested elections.
He has chosen as finance minister Tommaso Padoa Schioppa, an internationally respected economist and former European Central Bank executive board member, in a bid to reassure international markets despite Italy's zero-growth economy.
Two former premiers also make up part of the Cabinet: Massimo D'Alema, an ex-Communist, as foreign minister, and longtime Socialist Giuliano Amato as interior minister, in charge of civilian police forces and intelligence services.
A close Prodi aide, centrist Arturo Parisi, has been appointed defence minister.
The government must now win a confidence vote in Parliament.
Prodi said he would address the Senate on Thursday to seek its backing, and would do the same in the lower Chamber of Deputies early next week.

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