NATO Tour alumnus (1988) and center-left young leader Enrico Letta is Italy's new Prime Minister. In an exceptional showing of strength for Mission Italy's exchange programs, an additional five alumni make up Letta's coalition government – roughly one-third of the cabinet. At 46, Letta is one of Italy's youngest prime ministers. His cabinet is noteworthy for its youth and its many new faces, including a number of women. The alumni include Gaetano Quagliariello (IVLP, 2005), Minister of Institutional Reforms; Emma Bonino (IVLP, 1980), Italy's first female Minister of Foreign Affairs; Mario Mauro (IVLP, 2003), Minister of Defense; Flavio Zanonato (IVLP, 2010), Minister of Development; and Beatrice Lorenzin (NATO Tour, 2006), Minister of Health. The new administration marks the end of a difficult period of political instability after national elections in February.

BUREAU OF EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS - INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE ALUMNI