Prodi names next Italian cabinet

ROME, May 17 (UPI) -- Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi has announced his 25-member cabinet, a mixture of the nine-party coalition he led to victory in national elections.

Prodi had to wheel-and-deal for ministerial posts to keep his coalition together, ANSA reports. He insists his government will last the entire five-year term.

The government was to be approved by the president Wednesday and then both the House and Senate.

Prodi appointed eight ministers without portfolios because of the size of the coalition.

Former Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema of the Democratic Left was appointed foreign minister. Another former prime minister, Giuliano Amato, was made interior minister.

Tommaso Padoa Schioppa, who doesn't belong to a party, was named economy minister. He is seen as an independent voice who will steer the economy in the right direction, ANSA said.

Livia Turco was named health minister, the only woman to get a portfolio. Five other women were named ministers without portfolio.