Italy
In the Italian government, Ministers without Portfolio are nominated by the President of the Council of Ministers (Prime Minister) and formally appointed by the President of the Republic to lead particular departments directly under the Presidency (or Presidium) of the Council of Ministers. Unlike the office of State Undersecretary to the Presidency, who fulfils duties in the Prime Minister's remit, Ministers without Portfolio enjoy the full status of ministers but do not lead an independent ministry. Departments on equalities, European affairs and relations with Regions, for example, are usually led by ministers without portfolio.
The last Berlusconi IV Cabinet has had 11 ministers without portfolio:
- Umberto Bossi (Reforms for Federalism)
- Michela Vittoria Brambilla (Tourism), from May 8, 2009
- Aldo Brancher (Subsidiarity and Decentralization), from June 18, 2010 to July 6, 2010
- Renato Brunetta (Public Administration and Innovation)
- Roberto Calderoli (Law Simplification)
- Mara Carfagna (Equalities)
- Raffaele Fitto (Relations with Regions and Territorial Cohesion)
- Giorgia Meloni (Youth)
- Andrea Ronchi (European Policies), vacant since November 17, 2010
- Gianfranco Rotondi (Government Program Implementation)
- Elio Vito (Relations with Parliament)
The current Monti Cabinet has 5 ministers without portfolio:
- Pietro Giarda (Parliament)
- Fabrizio Barca (Territorial cohesion)
- Piero Gnudi (Tourism and sport)
- Enzo Moavero Milanesi (European affairs)
- Andrea Riccardi (International cooperation)
Read more about this topic: Minister Without Portfolio
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—Stendhal [Marie Henri Beyle] (1783–1842)
“the San Marco Library,
Whence turbulent Italy should draw
Delight in Art whose end is peace,
In logic and in natural law
By sucking at the dugs of Greece.”
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)
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—D.H. (David Herbert)