On 9 November 2011
Mario Monti, an
economist and former
European Commissioner, was appointed a
senator for life by
Italian President Giorgio Napolitano. He was seen as a favourite to replace Silvio Berlusconi and lead a new unity government in Italy in order to implement reforms and austerity measures. The ultimate purpose of Monti's appointment was to save Italy from the
eurozone sovereign debt crisis. On 12 November 2011, following Berlusconi's resignation, Napolitano asked Monti to form a new government. Monti accepted, and held talks with the leaders of the main Italian political parties, declaring that he wanted to form a government that would remain in office until the next scheduled general elections in 2013. On 16 November 2011, Monti was sworn in as
Prime Minister of Italy, after making known a
technocratic government composed entirely of unelected
professionals. He also chose to hold personally the post of
Minister of Economy and Finance. His tenure in the latter post lasted until 11 July 2012 when
Vittorio Grilli, previously vice-minister, became Minister. On 17 and 18 November 2011, the
Italian Senate and
Italian Chamber of Deputies both passed motions of confidence supporting Monti's government, with only the
Northern League voting against. ==Investiture votes==