Forza Italia has the lion's share of ministerial posts, while AN and the Northern League, which ran on the same ticket as the PDL, will have a minority status.

Berlusconi 's long-time aide Gianni Letta returns as cabinet secretary, while former economy minister Giulio Tremonti and former foreign minister Franco Frattini have their old jobs back.

As expected, the Northern League's Roberto Maroni will act as interior minister, while party leader Umberto Bossi will be in charge of reform and his deputy Roberto Calderoli will get a new post responsible for simplifying Italy's tangled maze of laws and regulations.

Ignazio La Russa, leader of the AN, is the new defense minister, while fellow AN members Altero Matteoli will hold the portfolio for public works and transport.

(Xinhua News Agency May 8, 2008)