Socialist prime minister is first in Italian history

By Compiled From Wire Service Dispatches With Analysis From Monitor Correspondents Around The World; Edited By Linda Feldmann

August 5, 1983

Rome

Socialist leader Bettino Craxi, fulfilling a long-time ambition, became Italy's first Socialist prime minister. Mr. Craxi told President Sandro Pertini that he had been able to put together a five-party coalition from the Christian Democratic, Socialist, Social Democratic, Liberal, and Republican Parties. The new government, resulting from a general election held on June 26 and 27, is the 44th in Italy since World War II.