Antonio Maccanico
Born: August 4th, 1924, in Avellino.
Who is he? Little known Italian politician and ex-bureaucrat.
Why's he in the news? Asked by President Scalfaro to form a new government, Italy's 55th since the second World War.
Early life: His father Alfredo was a bank employee who refused fascist membership and lost his job. Antonio was raised by his mother Evelina on her school teacher's pay.
Got a degree in law from Pisa university (1946).
Became a civil servant in the chamber of deputies (1947).
Once a member of the Communist Party, he left in disgust at Soviet suppression of the Hungarian uprising (1956).
His uncle Adolfo Tino was a co-founder of the Republican party, with which Antonio maintains links.
Career: Has a long history in politics, working in parliament and at the presidency.
Was chief of staff during presidency of socialist Sandro Pertini (1978-1985).
In 1987, became president of Mediobanca, a merchant bank.
Was minister for institutional reform and regional affairs in the coalition governments of De Mita and Andreotti (1988-1991).
Undersecretary to prime minister in Ciampi's government (1993-1994).
What does he want? The lira's rapid return to the European Monetary system, which Italy left in 1992.
Would like to lower inflation below 6 per cent.
What's he like? Bespectacled and modest. A skilled mediator who manages to keep well in with everybody.
A specialist on the Italian constitution, he is on the secular side of Italian politics.
Italian EU leadership: Last held in 1990, and likened to the Marx brothers in charge of a bus, the fear this time was for the identity of the driver.
Maccanico has made it clear that forming a government will hinge on his winning broad parliamentary support.
Last word: Goes to an EU diplomat: "If this appointment means that there will be no further changes in Italian leadership or elections for the remainder of their presidency, then I think most people will welcome that element of continuity."