ROME, Dec 11 (Reuters) – Italian President Sergio Mattarella summoned Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni to the presidential palace on Sunday, in a strong indication that the head of state has chosen him to try to form a new government.
Caretaker Prime Minister Matteo Renzi resigned last week after losing a referendum on constitutional reform on which he had staked his job, plunging Italy into a government crisis.
Gentiloni, 62, is due to meet Mattarella at 1130 GMT. If, as expected, he is formally given the mandate, he will begin consultations with political forces to form the next government.