ITALY’S new prime minister, Paolo Gentiloni, could scarcely be less like his frenetic forerunner, Matteo Renzi. In place of a provincial toughie known as “The Demolition Man”, Italy has acquired an affable Roman aristocrat with a preference for compromise. His inaugural speech to parliament on December 13th was memorable largely for its dullness.
Mr Gentiloni’s cabinet, however, will be almost identical to that of his predecessor, who resigned after his plan to reform the constitution was rejected in a referendum. The composition of the new team suggested that the handover of power is more apparent than real, and that Mr Gentiloni is expected to keep the former prime minister’s seat warm as Mr Renzi plots his return. Only one minister from the previous cabinet was dropped. Another, Maria Elena Boschi, who steered the reform bill through parliament, becomes Mr Gentiloni’s under-secretary. That will give her control of the cabinet’s agenda—and Mr Renzi a trusted associate at the center of power. Angelino Alfano, the former interior minister, took Mr Gentiloni’s place as foreign minister…