Can a new prime minister save Italy?

Investors may be disappointed if they are hoping Enrico Letta's appointment will mark a break from the past.

After two months of political deadlock, Italy has formed a new government. The first grand coalition since 1946 will contain ministers from both the centre-right and centre-left blocs, plus a few technocrats. Investors' initial reaction was positive.

Italian stocks rose and ten-year bonds yields fell to 3.9%, their lowest level since October 2010. In late 2011, they exceeded 7%. But this does "not necessarily look like a recipe for smooth government", says Mike Peacock on Reuters.com. The parties are hardly naturally compatible and the "leftward part of the centre-left" in particular could find it "too hard to stomach".

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