Italy has its 58th government since World War II. Prime Minister Giuliano Amato and 23 ministers from eight political parties were sworn into office earlier this week. It is Mr. Amato's second stint as prime minister; he is unlikely to enjoy this term in office.
Mr. Amato was picked to head the new government when the center-left coalition of his predecessor, Mr. Massimo D'Alema, got shellacked in regional polls earlier this month. Unwilling to call a general election, the president turned to Mr. Amato to cobble together what is certain to be a stopgap Cabinet. The problems were visible from the outset.
Although the new prime minister promised to cut the size of the Cabinet, it is only one seat smaller than its predecessor. Two hours after the lineup was announced, the outgoing Green Environment Minister Edo Ronchi declined a new post as European Union affairs minister because his party was losing the environment portfolio. His replacement was picked by party bosses, another sign that Mr. Amato will be captive to the whims of his coalition partners.