New Italy 'grand coalition' government to be sworn in

Italy's new coalition government will be sworn in on Sunday morning, breaking two months of political stalemate since the general election.

The new cabinet and prime minister will be sworn in at 11:30 (09:30 GMT) at the presidential Quirinal Palace in Rome.

The coalition brings together Enrico Letta's Democratic Party (PD) and the People of Freedom party (PDL) of former PM Silvio Berlusconi.

It was the "only possible government", said President Giorgio Napolitano.

But reports say this "grand coalition" between Italy's current main right- and left-wing parties is unprecedented, and will probably prove an uneasy alliance.

Letta will become the new prime minister.

Berlusconi had said he would not be a minister, but had pushed for leading figures from his party to be given top posts.

Angelino Alfano, the PDL's secretary and one of Berlusconi's closest political allies, will become deputy prime minister and interior minister in the new government.

Among the other key appointments proposed is Bank of Italy director general Fabrizio Saccomanni to head the powerful economy ministry.