Ex-central bank chief Mario Draghi takes over as Italy’s PM

Italian outgoing premier Giuseppe Conte hands over the cabinet minister bell to new premier Mario Dragh (Andrew Medichini/AP)

Mario Draghi has taken the helm as Italy’s prime minister after crafting a government that balances economic experts with career politicians to guide the pandemic-devastated nation toward recovery.

Ending weeks of political crisis, Mr Draghi and his Cabinet ministers took their oaths of office in a ceremony at the Quirinal presidential palace in front of President Sergio Mattarella.