Paolo Gentiloni, the man named on Sunday as Italy’s new prime minister, is a trusted ally of his predecessor Matteo Renzi, to whom he owes his rise to the summit of national politics.
Even before he was named, opponents were suggesting the silver-haired foreign minister had been hand-picked by Renzi as a stand-in leader who is dull enough not to pose any threat to the outgoing premier’s comeback hopes.
He has long been associated with the Green wing of Italy’s left but has steadily moved towards the centre ground over the course of a long, unspectacular career.
He was made foreign minister in October 2014, having been plucked from obscurity to replace Federica Mogherini following her appointment as the European Union’s foreign policy chief.
It was an appointment that raised eyebrows at the time.