Italian Prime Minister-designate Carlo Cottarelli attends a press conference in Rome, Italy, on May 28, 2018. Italian President Sergio Mattarella on Monday named senior economist Carlo Cottarelli as new prime minister-designate. (Xinhua/Alberto Lingria)

by Alessandra Cardone

ROME, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Italian President Sergio Mattarella on Monday named senior economist Carlo Cottarelli as new prime minister-designate.

64-year-old Cottarelli, former director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), was summoned by the president on Monday morning, after a bid to form a coalition government by populist Five Star Movement (M5S) and far-right League failed on Sunday night.

"The president of the Republic has conferred a mandate to form a government on Carlo Cottarelli," presidential secretary Ugo Zampetti said.

In a short speech after holding consultations with the president for one hour, Cottarelli pledged a "cautious approach" to Italy's public finances, ensuring the country would not leave the euro-zone.

Cottarelli said he would submit a list of ministers to the president in a very short time. He was expected to choose technical figures, in order to take care of Italy's most pressing domestic and international commitments.

Nonetheless, his cabinet would need to win the confidence of both houses of the parliament.

"My plan is to submit a program that -- in case of confidence -- will include the 2019 budget (approval), immediately followed by dissolution of parliament and new elections in early 2019," Cottarelli explained.

On the contrary, if it fails to win the parliament's confidence, the cabinet will "immediately resign, stay in charge for current affairs only, and lead the country to new elections after August."

Italy has been without a government for some 13 weeks now, after general elections held on March 4 provided inconclusive results.

This prolonged uncertainty, and a bid to form a government by M5S and League -- the most-voted parties, and both euro-sceptic -- have unnerved global markets and worried European partners.

Cottarelli worked as director of the Fiscal Affairs Department of the IMF from 2008 to 2013, and served as spending-review official in one of the center-left governments in the past legislature.

Visibly aiming at reassuring international observers, he emphasized Italy's recovery was still solid. "The Italian economy is still growing, our public finances remains under control, and I can assure you my cabinet would guarantee a cautious management of public finances," he said.

He also highlighted the need of a constructive approach with the EU.

"A dialogue with Europe to preserve our national interests is crucial. Yet, it must be a constructive one... as one of the EU founding member states, our role in the union and our participation in the euro-zone remain essential," Cottarelli stressed.