Paolo Gentiloni has been named as Italy's new Prime Minister following reformist leader Matteo Renzi's resignation in the wake of a crushing referendum defeat. <br/><br/>Gentiloni, who served as the Foreign Minister under Renzi, was asked by President Sergio Mattarella to form a new centre-left government today that will guide Italy to elections due by February 2018. <br/><br/>A close ally of the outgoing premier, Gentiloni now has to put together his own government team ahead of a Parliamentary approval vote expected on Wednesday.<br/><br/>

Paolo Gentiloni has been named as Italy's new Prime Minister following reformist leader Matteo Renzi's resignation in the wake of a crushing referendum defeat. <br/><br/>Gentiloni, who served as the Foreign Minister under Renzi, was asked by President Sergio Mattarella to form a new centre-left government today that will guide Italy to elections due by February 2018. <br/><br/>A close ally of the outgoing premier, Gentiloni now has to put together his own government team ahead of a Parliamentary approval vote expected on Wednesday.<br/><br/>