:Paolo Gentiloni

A descendant of Count Gentiloni Silveri, Paolo Gentiloni is related to the Italian politician Vincenzo Ottorino Gentiloni, chamberlain of Pope Pius X, who was the leader of the conservative Catholic Electoral Union and a key ally of the long-time prime minister Giovanni Giolitti.{{cite news|url=http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/vincenzo-ottorino-gentiloni_(Dizionario-Biografico)/|author=Francesco Malgeri|title=GENTILONI, Vincenzo Ottorino in "Dizionario Biografico"|work=Treccani|access-date=14 April 2019}} If the Kingdom of Italy still existed, Gentiloni would have the titles of Nobile of Filottrano, Nobile of Cingoli, and Nobile of Macerata.{{cite news|date=1 November 2011|url=https://www.lastampa.it/2014/11/01/italia/politica/quel-ministro-rutelliano-politicamente-renziano-prima-ancora-di-renzi-2LRqv0TzRCJU7zJcm8eP6L/premium.html|title=Quel ministro rutelliano che era renziano prima ancora del premier|language=it|work=La Stampa|access-date=14 April 2019}}

Gentiloni was born in Rome in 1954, during his childhood he attended a Montessori institute, where he became a friend of Agnese Moro, the daughter of Aldo Moro, a Christian democratic leader and Prime Minister. During the early 1970s he attended the Classical Lyceum Torquato Tasso in Rome;{{cite news|url=http://www.ilgiornale.it/news/politica/scalata-conte-gentiloni-figlioccio-rutelli-agli-esteri-1064224.html|title=La scalata del conte Gentiloni da figlioccio di Rutelli agli Esteri|trans-title=The ascent of Count Gentiloni from a godson of Rutelli to Foreign Affairs|work=Il Giornale|language=it|date=1 November 2014|access-date=14 April 2019}} he graduated in political sciences at the Sapienza University of Rome. Gentiloni was a professional journalist before entering politics.{{cite web|url=http://www.governo.it/governo/gentiloni-paolo/presidente-del-consiglio/paolo-gentiloni-silveri|title=Paolo Gentiloni Silveri|date=12 December 2016|language=it|access-date=14 April 2019}}

In 1989 he married Emanuela Mauro, an architect; they have no children. Gentiloni speaks fluent English, French and German.{{cite web|url=https://www.adnkronos.com/fatti/politica/2016/12/11/gentiloni-premier-verde-con-pallino-delle-comunicazioni_6JMA6p27rReeTaTxLyrzgL.html|title=Gentiloni, premier 'verde' con il pallino delle Comunicazioni|agency=Adnkronos|language=it|date=12 November 2016|access-date=14 April 2019}}{{cite web |title=Italian Prime Minister Gentiloni on US-Italy relationship |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Irwj_fi11b4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/Irwj_fi11b4 |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|website=YouTube | date=20 April 2017 |publisher=Fox News |access-date=21 July 2019}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web |title=Italy's Foreign Minister on the refugee crisis - Newsnight |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE3mlll8YyA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/xE3mlll8YyA |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|website=YouTube | date=18 September 2015 |publisher=BBC Newsnight |access-date=21 July 2019}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web |title=Migrant Crisis: Italian FM Paolo Gentiloni - BBC HARDtalk |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOBkcxzQTOI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/YOBkcxzQTOI |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|website=YouTube | date=23 April 2015 |publisher=BBC HARDtalk |access-date=21 July 2019}}{{cbignore}}

During the 1970s, Paolo Gentiloni was a member of the Student Movement (Movimento Studentesco), a far-left youth organization led by Mario Capanna;{{cite news|author=Trocino, Alessandro|title=Gentiloni, Mario Capanna: "Negli anni 70 Paolo era con noi ma neanche mi accorsi di lui"|trans-title=Gentiloni, Mario Capanna: "In the 70's Paolo was with us but I didn't even notice him"|url=https://www.corriere.it/la-crisi-di-governo/notizie/negli-anni-70-paolo-era-noi-ma-neanche-mi-accorsi-lui-742288ca-c121-11e6-ba45-25063c27d0aa.shtml|access-date=14 April 2019|work=Corriere della Sera|date=13 December 2016|language=it}} when Capanna founded the Proletarian Democracy party, Gentiloni did not follow him, and joined the Workers' Movement for Socialism (Movimento Lavoratori per il Socialismo; MLS), a far-left Maoist group, of which he became the regional secretary for Lazio.{{cite news|url=https://argomenti.ilsole24ore.com/paolo-gentiloni.html|title=Paolo Gentiloni - Ultime notizie su Paolo Gentiloni - Argomenti del Sole 24 Ore|trans-title=Paolo Gentiloni - Latest news on Paolo Gentiloni - Arguments of the Sole 24 Ore|work=Il Sole 24 Ore|language=it|access-date=14 April 2019}} In 1981 Gentiloni followed the MLS into the Proletarian Unity Party (Partito di Unità Proletaria; PdUP), remaining a member until its dissolution three years later.

Gentiloni slowly abandoned far-left ideals, sharing more moderate views and becoming particularly involved in green politics and ecologism.{{cite news|url=https://www.lastampa.it/2017/11/19/italia/gentiloni-torna-alle-origini-e-rilancia-lambientalismo-pEVBTuxnhvEOCzK3KuhWVJ/premium.html|author=Fabio Martini|title=Gentiloni torna alle origini e rilancia l'ambientalismo|trans-title=Gentiloni returns to the origins and re-launches environmentalism|work=La Stampa|language=it|date=19 November 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}} During those years he became a close friend of Chicco Testa who helped Gentiloni to become director of La Nuova Ecologia ("The New Ecology"), the official newspaper of Legambiente. As director of this ecologist newspaper he met the young leader of Federation of the Greens, Francesco Rutelli and became, along with Roberto Giachetti, Michele Anzaldi and Filippo Sensi, a member of the so-called "Rutelli boys", a group formed by Rutelli's closest advisors and supporters.{{cite news|url=https://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2000/09/27/da-gentiloni-giachetti-ora-dei-rutelli-boys.html|title=Da Gentiloni a Giachetti è l' ora dei Rutelli-boys|work=la Repubblica|language=it|date=27 September 2000|access-date=14 April 2019}}

In 1993 he became Rutelli's spokesman during his campaign to become Mayor of Rome; after the election, which saw a strong victory by Rutelli against Gianfranco Fini, leader of the neo-fascist Italian Social Movement, Gentiloni was appointed Great Jubilee and Tourism Councillor in the Rome City Council.{{cite news|url=https://www.ilpost.it/2016/12/11/paolo-gentiloni/|title=Chi è Paolo Gentiloni, il nuovo Presidente del Consiglio|trans-title=Who is Paolo Gentiloni, the new Prime Minister|work=Il Post|language=it|date=11 December 2016|access-date=14 April 2019}} Rutelli was reelected in 1997, with 985,000 popular votes, the highest share in the history of the city.{{cite news|url=http://roma.corriere.it/amministrative-2016/cards/i-sindaci-roma-dopoguerra-oggi/francesco-rutelli.shtml|language=it|author=Paolo Foschi|title=I sindaci di Roma dal dopoguerra a oggi|work=Corriere della Sera|date=27 September 2000|access-date=14 April 2019}}

Gentiloni held his office until January 2001, when Rutelli resigned to become the centre-left candidate to the premiership in the 2001 general election. However Rutelli was soundly defeated by former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi with 35.1% of votes against 49.6%.{{cite web|url=https://www.ebay.it/itm/LA-REPUBBLICA-15-MAGGIO-2001-ELEZIONI-POLITICHE-VINCE-BERLUSCONI-ALTAN-AUSTRALIA/192206173509?hash=item2cc0617545:g:TUIAAOSwYlRZMmyg|title=LA REPUBBLICA 15 MAGGIO 2001 ELEZIONI POLITICHE VINCE BERLUSCONI ALTAN AUSTRALIA - eBay|website=eBay|access-date=10 April 2018}}

In the 2001 general election, Gentiloni was elected as a Member of Parliament and started his national political career. In 2002 he was a founding member of the Christian leftist The Daisy party, being the party's communications spokesman for five years.[http://www.partitodemocratico.it/utenti/profilo.htm?id=2707 Profilo personale.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031181632/http://www.partitodemocratico.it/utenti/profilo.htm?id=2707|date=31 October 2014}} From 2005 until 2006, he was Chairman of the Broadcasting Services Watchdog Committee; the committee oversees the activity of state broadcaster RAI, which is publicly funded.{{cite news|author=Paolo Biondi|author2=Roberto Landucci|date=31 October 2014|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/italy-politics-foreign-minister-idUSL5N0SQ39A20141031|title=Italy PM picks Paolo Gentiloni as new foreign minister in surprise choice|work=Reuters|access-date=14 April 2019}} He was reelected in the 2006 election as a member of The Olive Tree, the political coalition led by the Bolognese economist Romano Prodi. After the centre-left's victory, Gentiloni served as Minister for Communications in Prodi's second government from 2006 until 2008.Giada Zampano (31 October 2014), [https://www.wsj.com/articles/italys-prime-minister-names-paolo-gentiloni-as-foreign-minister-1414783315 Italy’s Prime Minister Names Paolo Gentiloni as Foreign Minister] The Wall Street Journal.

File:Rutelli Gentiloni 1993.jpg.]]

As minister Gentiloni planned to reform the Italian television system, with the defeat of the Gasparri Law, the previous reform proposed by the centre-right lawmaker Maurizio Gasparri.{{cite news|url=https://www.repubblica.it/2006/07/sezioni/politica/legge-gasparri/parte-infrazione/parte-infrazione.html|title=Legge Gasparri, la Ue avvia la procedura d'infrazione|work=la Repubblica|date=19 July 2006|access-date=14 April 2019}} The reform provided, between other things, the reduction of advertising.{{cite web|url=https://www.civile.it/mobile/visual.php?num=29959|title=Riforma televisiva: le linee guida di Gentiloni |website=www.civile.it|date=13 October 2006|access-date=5 April 2019}} However, in 2007, the government suffered a crisis and lost its majority, so the reform had never been approved.{{cite web|url=https://www.francoabruzzo.it/document.asp?DID=1624|title=Il "ddl Gentiloni" di riforma della Rai (1588/2007)|website=www.francoabruzzo.it|date=18 May 2007|access-date=14 April 2019}} The "Gentiloni Reform" bill of 12 October 2006, established the existence of a market dominance where a subject exceeded 45% of advertising sales and abolished the "integrated communication system" (SIC) introduced by the Gasparri Law. The law also lowered the maximum advertising threshold for TV from 18% to 16%, to encourage redistribution, and provided for the transfer to digital of one network each for RAI and Mediaset by 2009, thus freeing up frequencies and imposing the obligation to sell (Europa 7 affair). However, the bill will not be approved.

In May 2007 a second reform text was launched that concerns only the RAI (Senate Act no. 1588/2007). Among the main aspects, the property should have passed from the Ministry of Economy to a Foundation; there would also have been a separation between TV financed by the fee and TV financed by advertising, and the rules for appointing the board of directors would have changed. However, the reform will not be approved.

He was one of the 45 members of the national founding committee of the Democratic Party in 2007, formed by the union of the social democrats Democrats of the Left and the Christian leftist The Daisy.{{cite news|work=Il Fatto Quotidiano|url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2016/12/11/governo-dopo-matteo-lincendiario-il-pompiere-gentiloni-lunico-nome-comune-tra-franceschini-bersani-e-renzi/3248387/|title=Governo, dopo Matteo l'incendiario il pompiere Gentiloni. L'unico nome comune tra Franceschini, Bersani e Renzi|date=11 December 2016|access-date=14 April 2019}} Gentiloni was re-elected in the 2008 general election, which saw the victory of the conservative coalition led by Silvio Berlusconi. In this legislature, he was a member of the Committee regarding Transport and Telecommunications.

On 6 April 2013 he ran in the primary election to select the center-left candidate for Mayor of Rome, placing third, with 14% of votes, after Ignazio Marino (51%), who became Mayor, and the journalist David Sassoli, who gained 28%.{{cite news|url=http://www.firstonline.info/a/2013/04/08/primarie-pd-a-roma-stravince-marino-secondo-sassol/817bc555-db1c-4917-beff-b446aa0e4f00|title=Primarie Pd, a Roma stravince Marino: secondo Sassoli, terzo Gentiloni|trans-title=Primary Pd, Marino wins in Rome: second came Sassoli, then Gentiloni|author=Musilli, Carlo|language=it|date=8 April 2013|access-date=14 April 2019}}{{cite news|date=7 April 2013|url=http://www.romatoday.it/politica/elezioni/comunali-roma-2013/risultati-primarie-roma-7-aprile-2013.html|title=Risultati Primarie Roma: i risultati in diretta|trans-title=Rome Primary: Live Results|language=it|access-date=14 April 2019}} After the defeat in the primary election, many political commentators believed that Gentiloni's career as a prominent member of the centre-left was over.{{cite news|url=https://formiche.net/2016/12/carriera-gentiloni-foto-racconto/|author=Picardi, Andrea|title=La carriera di Paolo Gentiloni|trans-title=Paolo Gentiloni's career|language=it|date=December 2016|access-date=14 April 2019}}

However, Gentiloni was elected again to the Chamber of Deputies in the 2013 general election, as part of the centre-left coalition Italy. Common Good led by Pier Luigi Bersani, Secretary of the PD. In 2013, after Bersani's resignation as Secretary, Gentiloni supported the Mayor of Florence, Matteo Renzi, in the Democratic Party leadership election.{{cite news|url=http://www.affaritaliani.it/gentiloni-ecco-chi-e-gentiloni-passato-tra-la-sinistra-stalinista-gentiloni-454039.html?refresh_ce|title=Gentiloni, ecco chi è Gentiloni. Passato tra la sinistra stalinista. Gentiloni|language=it|date=11 December 2016|access-date=14 April 2019}}

File:Secretary Kerry Speaks to the Press (27639382360).jpg John Kerry in Rome in June 2016.]]

On 31 October 2014 Gentiloni was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs by Prime Minister Matteo Renzi; Gentiloni succeeded Federica Mogherini, who became High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.{{cite news|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2014/10/31/news/renzi_ministro_esteri-99422968/|work=la Repubblica|title=Gentiloni giura al Quirinale, è il nuovo ministro degli Esteri: "Governo dev'essere all'altezza"|trans-title=Gentiloni swears by the Quirinale as the new foreign minister: "Government must be up to the task"|date=31 October 2014|language=it|access-date=14 April 2019}} He took office two months before Italy's rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union ended in December 2014. At the time of his appointment, Gentiloni had not been mentioned in political circles as a candidate. Renzi had reportedly wanted to replace Mogherini with another woman, to preserve gender parity in his 16-member cabinet. Moreover, Gentiloni was not known as a specialist in international diplomacy.

As foreign minister, Gentiloni tried to trace an intermediate path for Italy in the scenario of multiple crises that surrounds it, from the wars in Libya and Syria to tensions with Russia. Gentiloni showed a strong closeness to his US counterpart John Kerry and kept open a channel of dialogue with the Russian Sergei Lavrov.

On 13 February 2015, during an interview on Sky TG24, Gentiloni stated that "if needed, Italy will be ready to fight in Libya against the Islamic State, because the Italian government can not accept the idea that there is an active terrorist threat only a few hours from Italy by boat."{{cite news|url=https://en-maktoob.news.yahoo.com/italy-ready-fight-libya-needed-foreign-minister-202348452.html|title=Italy "ready to fight" in Libya if needed - foreign minister|department=Maktoob|agency=Reuters|publisher=Yahoo! News|date=13 February 2015|access-date=14 April 2019}} The following day Gentiloni was threatened by ISIL, which accused him of being a crusader, minister of an enemy country.{{cite news|url=https://www.repubblica.it/esteri/2015/02/14/news/is_isis_terrorismo_radio_dello_stato_islamico_cita_gentiloni_ministro_dell_italia_crociata-107316671/?ref=HREC1-2|title=Terrorismo, radio dello Stato islamico cita Gentiloni: "Ministro dell'Italia crociata"|trans-title=Terrorism, Islamic State radio quotes Gentiloni: "Italian Minister of the Crusade"|work=la Repubblica|language=it|date=14 February 2015|access-date=14 April 2019}}

In March 2015 Gentiloni visited Mexico and Cuba and met Cuban President Raúl Castro, ensuring the Italian support for the normalization of relations between Cuba and the United States.{{cite news|url=https://www.lastampa.it/2015/03/13/esteri/gentiloni-incontra-raul-castro-a-cuba-3GsQ6rj8utBQ67S0IpG2RN/pagina.html|title=Gentiloni incontra Raul Castro a Cuba|work=La Stampa|date=13 March 2015|access-date=14 April 2019}}

On 11 July 2015, a car bomb exploded outside the Italian consulate in the Egyptian capital Cairo, resulting in at least one death and four people injured; the Islamic State claimed responsibility.{{cite news|url=https://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2015/Jul-11/306244-isis-claims-responsibility-for-bomb-attack-against-italian-consulate-in-cairo.ashx|title=ISIS claims responsibility for bomb attack against Italian consulate in Cairo|work=The Daily Star|date=11 July 2015|access-date=14 April 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-33491512|title=Islamic State 'behind blast' at Italian consulate in Cairo|publisher=BBC News|date=11 July 2015|access-date=14 April 2019}}{{cite news|author=Sarah Sirgany|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2015/07/11/middleeast/egypt-cairo-explosion/index.html|title=1 dead in car bomb blast at Italian Consulate in Egypt|agency=CNN|date=11 July 2015|access-date=14 April 2019}} On the same day Gentiloni stated that "Italy will not be intimidated" and would continue the fight against terrorism.{{cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/italy-not-intimidated-by-cairo-consulate-attack-minister-115071100255_1.html|title=Italy not 'intimidated' by Cairo consulate attack: Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni|author=AFP/PTI|newspaper=Business Standard India |date=11 July 2015|access-date=14 April 2019|via=Business Standard}}

File:EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Mogherini Addresses Students at Tufts University in Massachusetts (29867259846).jpg and Federica Mogherini in September 2016.]]

In December 2015, Gentiloni hosted a peace conference in Rome with the representatives from both governments of Libya involved in the civil war, but also from the United Nations, the United States and Russia.{{cite news|url=https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20151215/local/fresh-attempt-for-rival-libyan-governments-to-meet-in-malta.595842|title=Heads of rival Libyan parliaments meet in Malta, seek more time for unity government|access-date=14 April 2019|work=Times of Malta|date=15 December 2015}}

As Foreign Minister, Gentiloni had to confront various abductions of Italian citizens. In January 2015, he negotiated the release of Vanessa Marzullo and Greta Ramelli, two Italian students and activists who had been held hostage by Syrian terrorists for 168 days.Liam Moloney (January 16, 2015), [https://www.wsj.com/articles/italy-says-opposed-to-paying-ransom-to-free-hostages-1421432021 Italy Says Against Paying Ransom for Hostages] Wall Street Journal.

Another high-profile case was the murder of Giulio Regeni, an Italian Cambridge University graduate student killed in Cairo following his abduction on 25 January 2016;{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/07/italian-student-giulio-regeni-dead-cairo-killed-violent-blow-head|title=Italian student found dead in Cairo 'killed by violent blow to the head'|work=The Guardian|date=7 February 2016 }} He was a Ph.D. student researching Egypt's independent trade unions.{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/italy-summons-egyptian-ambassador-over-death-of-student-in-cairo-1454589460|title=Italy Summons Egyptian Ambassador Over Death of Student in Cairo|date=4 February 2016|work=The Wall Street Journal}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Cambridge-Italian-student-confirmed-dead/story-28672069-detail/story.html|title=Cambridge University student Giulio Regeni 'was tortured and suffered burns' in Egypt, claim reports|work=Cambridge News}} Regeni's mutilated and half-naked corpse was found in a ditch alongside the Cairo-Alexandria highway on the outskirts of Cairo on 3 February 2016. His recovered body showed signs of extreme torture like contusions and abrasions, extensive bruising from kicks, punches, and assault with a stick, more than two dozen bone fractures, a brain hemorrhage and a broken cervical vertebra, which ultimately caused death.{{cite web|url=http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/24019/giulio-regeni_scattered-facts|title=Giulio Regeni: Scattered Facts|author1=Ahmed Ragab|author2=Mustafa al-Marsafawi|date=7 March 2016|publisher=Jadaliyya|access-date=30 July 2016}}{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/02/04/europe/italian-student-dead-in-egypt/index.html|title=Italian student who went missing in Cairo found battered and dead|author1=Greg Botelho|author2=Sarah Sirgany|date=4 February 2016|agency=CNN|access-date=14 April 2019}} The Egyptian police was strongly suspected of involvement in his murder in Europe,{{cite news|title=Suspicion falls on Egypt's security forces after the violent death of a young Italian|url=https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21693171-egyptian-authorities-show-little-appetite-solve-case-murdered|access-date=14 April 2019|newspaper=The Economist|date=17 February 2016}} although Egypt's media and government deny this, alleging secret undercover agents belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt carried out the crime in order to embarrass the Egyptian government and destabilize relations between Italy and Egypt.{{cite news|title=Egypt: Italian's killers may have had criminal or revenge motive|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35650418|access-date=14 April 2019|publisher=BBC News|date=24 February 2016}}{{cite news|title=Egypt: Egypt president suggests his political enemies murdered Italian student|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/16/egypt-president-political-enemies-murdered-italian-student-abdel-fatah-al-sisi-giulio-regeni|access-date=14 April 2019|work=The Guardian|date=16 March 2016}}

In the 2016 United Nations Security Council election, Gentiloni and his Dutch counterpart Bert Koenders agreed on splitting a two-year term on the United Nations Security Council after the United Nations General Assembly was deadlocked on whether to choose Italy or the Netherlands following five rounds of voting for the last remaining 2017–18 seat.{{cite news|author=Michelle Nichols|date=28 June 2016|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-un-securitycouncil-election-idUSKCN0ZE23O|title=Italy, Netherlands propose split U.N. Security Council seat for 2017-18|work=Reuters|access-date=14 April 2019}} Such arrangements were relatively common in deadlocked elections starting in the late 1950s until 1966, when the Security Council was enlarged. This however would be the first time in over five decades that two members agreed to split a term; intractable deadlocks have instead usually been resolved by the candidate countries withdrawing in favour of a third member state.

{{Main|Gentiloni government}}

File:Cerimonia di insediamento del Governo Gentiloni 2016.jpg during the swearing-in ceremony.]]

On 7 December 2016, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi announced his resignation, following the rejection of his proposals to overhaul the Senate in the 2016 Italian constitutional referendum. On 11 December, Gentiloni was asked by President Mattarella to form a new government.{{cite journal|date=31 October 2014|title=L'ascesa di Paolo Gentiloni, dalla Margherita alla Farnesina|trans-title=Paolo Gentiloni's rise: from the Daisy to the Farnesina|language=it|newspaper=la Repubblica|publication-place=Rome|publisher=Gruppo Editoriale L'Espresso|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2014/10/31/news/paolo_gentiloni_vita_scheda-99433494/|access-date=14 April 2019}} On 12 December, Gentiloni was officially sworn in as the new head of the government.{{cite news|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2016/12/12/news/consultazioni_gentiloni_ministri_governo-153941735/|title=Il governo Gentiloni ha giurato, ministri confermati tranne Giannini. Alfano agli Esteri. Minniti all'Interno. Boschi sottosegretario|language=it|date=12 December 2016|work=la Repubblica|access-date=14 April 2019}}

Gentiloni led a coalition government supported by the Democratic Party (PD) and the Christian democratic Popular Area, composed of the New Centre-Right (NCD) and the Centrists for Italy. This was the same majority that had supported Renzi's government for almost three years.{{cite news|url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2016/12/11/paolo-gentiloni-presidente-del-consiglio-incaricato-ci-muoveremo-nel-quadro-della-maggioranza/3251036/|title=Governo Gentiloni, il ministro scelto da Mattarella: "Stessa maggioranza, gli altri non ci stanno". Lunedì la squadra|language=it|date=11 December 2016|work=Il Fatto Quotidiano|access-date=14 April 2019}} Meanwhile, the centrist Liberal Popular Alliance (ALA), led by Denis Verdini, did not support the new cabinet because no member of the ALA was appointed as a minister.{{cite news|url=https://www.corriere.it/la-crisi-di-governo/notizie/governo-denis-verdini-si-sfila-no-fiducia-governo-fotocopia-ae48522c-c091-11e6-84a3-703e0bacaa0c.shtml|title=Governo, Denis Verdini si sfila: "No fiducia a governo fotocopia"|trans-title=Government, Denis Verdini takes off: "No confidence in government photocopy"|work=Corriere della Sera|language=it|date=12 December 2016|access-date=14 April 2019}}

On 13 December, Gentiloni's cabinet won a confidence vote in the Chamber of Deputies, with 368 votes for and 105 against, while the deputies of the Five Star Movement (M5S) and Lega Nord left the chamber.{{cite news|author=Katia Riccardi|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2016/12/13/news/governo_gentiloni_fiducia-154006154/|title=Governo, Gentiloni ha la fiducia della Camera|language=it|date=13 December 2016|work=la Repubblica|access-date=14 April 2019}} On the following day, the government also won a confidence vote in the Senate, with 169 votes for and 99 against.{{cite web|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2016/12/14/news/governo_gentiloni_fiducia_senato-154066159/|title=Governo Gentiloni, fiducia al Senato con 169 "sì". Come Renzi alla "prima" a Palazzo Madama|trans-title=Gentiloni government, confidence in the Senate with 169 "yes". Like Renzi at the "premiere" in Palazzo Madama|language=it|date=14 December 2016|work=la Repubblica|access-date=14 April 2019}}

On 29 December, deputy ministers of the PD, NCD, the Italian Socialist Party, and Solidary Democracy, were appointed. After the split of Article One from the PD, that party was presented by one deputy minister in the government.

On 19 July 2017, Gentiloni became Minister of Regional Affairs ad interim after the resignation of Enrico Costa, member of Popular Alternative, who often criticized Gentiloni's views and ideas, especially regarding immigration and the jus soli.{{cite news|author=Piera Matteucci|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2017/07/19/news/si_e_dimesso_ministro_costa-171149741/|title=Governo, si è dimesso ministro Enrico Costa: "Niente ambiguità"|trans-title=Minister Enrico Costa resigned from the government: "No ambiguity"|language=it|date=19 July 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}}

On 24 March 2018, following the elections of the presidents of the two houses of the Italian Parliament, Roberto Fico (M5S) and Maria Elisabetta Alberti Casellati (FI), Gentiloni resigned his post to President Mattarella;{{cite news|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2018/03/24/news/gentiloni_dimissioni-192146653/|author=Umberto Rosso|title=Colle, Gentiloni si è dimesso da presidente del Consiglio: "Orgoglioso di aver servito l'Italia, grazie a tutto il governo"|language=it|date=24 March 2018|work=la Repubblica|access-date=14 April 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.corriere.it/cronache/18_marzo_24/dimissioni-gentiloni-consultazioni-quirinale-ora-che-succede-ecfe0c68-2f63-11e8-8bb6-779994a184b2.shtml|title=Le dimissioni di Gentiloni, le consultazioni al Quirinale: ora che succede?|author=Dino Martirano|work=Corriere della Sera|language=it|date=24 March 2018|access-date=14 April 2019}} however, he remained in office until 1 June, when Giuseppe Conte was sworn in as the new Prime Minister at the head of a populist coalition composed by the M5S and the League.{{cite news|url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/05/22/giuseppe-conte-italy-prime-minister/632744002/|title=Giuseppe Conte: Italy's next PM to form western Europe's first populist government|author=Eric J. Lyman|work=USA Today|date=22 May 2018|access-date=14 April 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.it/2018/05/31/ci-sono-tutte-le-condizioni-per-un-governo-m5s-lega_a_23448003/|title=Raggiunto l'accordo per un governo M5S-Lega con Conte premier|trans-title=Agreement reached for an M5S-League government with Conte as premier|work=HuffPost|date=31 May 2018|access-date=14 April 2019}}

File:Pope Francis and Paolo Gentiloni.jpg in June 2017.]]

On 19 May 2017, the Council of Ministers, on the proposal of Prime Minister Gentiloni and Health Minister Beatrice Lorenzin, approved a decree law containing urgent vaccine prevention measures that reintroduced the mandatory vaccination, bringing the number of mandatory vaccines from 4 to 12 and not allowing those who have not been vaccinated to attend school.{{cite news|url=https://video.repubblica.it/dossier/vaccini/gentiloni-vaccini-obbligatori-sanzioni-per-i-trasgressori/276298/276880|title=Gentiloni: 'Vaccini obbligatori. Sanzioni per i trasgressori'|date=19 May 2017|website=Repubblica Tv - la Repubblica.it|access-date=14 April 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.repubblica.it/salute/2017/05/19/news/vaccini_oggi_testo_in_cdm_boschi_no_scherzi_su_salute-165815370/|title=Vaccini, approvato il decreto sull'obbligo fin da nidi e materne|work=la Repubblica|language=it|date=19 May 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}}

On 14 December 2017, the Parliament officially approved a law concerning the advance healthcare directive, better known as "living will", a legal document in which a person specifies what actions should be taken for their health if they are no longer able to make decisions for themselves because of illness or incapacity. With this law, living will has become legal in Italy.{{cite news|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2017/12/14/news/biotestamento_ok_definitivo_al_senato-184086928/|author=Elena de Stabile|title=Il biotestamento è legge dello Stato: via libera definitivo al Senato con 180 sì|date=14 December 2017|work=la Repubblica|language=it|access-date=14 April 2019}} The law also provided the refusal of end-of-life cares.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/14/world/europe/italy-living-will-end-of-life-right-to-die-assisted-suicide.html|title=Italy to Allow Living Wills and the Refusal of End-of-Life Care|author=Povoledo, Elisabetta|work=The New York Times|date=14 December 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}} The bill was harshly opposed by many Christian democratic and social conservative politicians of Forza Italia, Lega Nord, Brothers of Italy and even PD's ally Popular Alternative, while it was supported by PD, Five Star Movement, Article One and Italian Left.{{cite news|url=https://www.corriere.it/cronache/17_dicembre_14/biotestamento-legge-ok-definitivo-senato-0a81a6ce-e0bc-11e7-acec-8b1cf54b0d3e.shtml|title=Il biotestamento è legge - Lacrime in Aula - Cos'è|work=Corriere della Sera|language=it|date=14 December 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}}

The Catholic Church, led by Pope Francis, did not put up major objections to the living will law, saying that a balance needed to be struck with the prevention of excessive treatment or therapeutic obstinacy.{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/acb1da5c-d4ba-321d-a00a-a484ebda3fa6 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/qaywd |archive-date=11 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Italy approves 'living wills' for end-of-life medical treatment|work=Financial Times|date=14 December 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}}

In March 2017 the government abolished the use of labour vouchers, bonds of the redeemable transaction type which are worth a certain monetary value and which may be spent only for specific reasons or on specific goods, commonly one-off labour services.{{cite news|url=https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/norme-e-tributi/2017-03-18/abolizione-voucher-ecco-decreto-legge-114459.shtml|title=Abolizione dei voucher: ecco il decreto legge|language=it|work=Il Sole 24 Ore|date=18 March 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}} The government decided to promote this law after a referendum that was called by Italy's main trade union CGIL.{{cite web|url=http://www.tempi.it/la-cgil-e-contro-i-voucher-perche-chi-viene-pagato-cosi-non-si-iscrive-al-sindacato|author=Francesca Parodi|title="La Cgil è contro i voucher perché chi viene pagato così non si iscrive al sindacato"|trans-title=The CGIL is against vouchers because those who are paid in this way do not register with the union|language=it|date=21 March 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}} Gentiloni stated that he decided to abolish them, because he did not want to split the country in another referendum, after the December 2016 constitutional one.{{cite web|url=https://www.democratica.com/focus/addio-ai-voucher-decreto-gentiloni-poletti/|title=Addio ai voucher, Gentiloni: "Sarebbe stato un errore dividere il paese"|language=it|date=17 March 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}}

In March 2018, the unemployment rate was around 11%, lower than the previous years, and the percentage of unemployed young people was the lowest since 2011, at 31.7%.{{cite news|work=la Repubblica|language=it|date=2 May 2018|access-date=14 April 2019|url=https://www.repubblica.it/economia/2018/05/02/news/istat_disoccupazione_giovanile_ai_minimi_dal_2011-195303343/|title=Istat, a marzo disoccupazione stabile all'11%. Tra i giovani ai minimi dal 2011|trans-title=Istat, the March unemployment is stable at 11%. Among the young at the lowest point since 2011}} This data were seeing by many as the proof of a robust economic recovery started in 2013, after the financial crisis that affected Italy in 2011.{{cite web|date=2 May 2018|access-date=14 April 2019|url=https://www.neweurope.eu/article/italy-ireland-record-lowest-unemployment-decade/|title=Italy and Ireland record the lowest unemployment in a decade}}

File:G7 Taormina Paolo Gentiloni Emmanuel Macron handshake 2017-05-26 (cropped).jpg in May 2017.]]

A major problem faced by Gentiloni upon becoming Prime Minister in 2016 was the high levels of illegal immigration to Italy. On 2 February 2017, Gentiloni reached a deal in Rome with Libyan Chairman of the Presidential Council Fayez al-Sarraj on halting migration. Libya agreed to try to stop migrants from setting out to cross the Mediterranean Sea.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/italy-libya-reach-deal-on-halting-migration-ahead-of-eu-summit|title=Italy, Libya reach deal on halting migration ahead of EU summit|website=Fox News |agency=Associated Press/Fox News|date=2 February 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}} On 9 February, Gentiloni signed a similar deal with President of Tunisia Beji Caid Essebsi, to prevent the migration across the Mediterranean.{{cite web|url=http://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/mondo/2017/02/08/migranti-alfano-domani-accordo-tunisia_2e1c7252-bd1c-47ff-bf08-ca703eca9d5c.html|title=Migranti: Alfano, domani accordo Tunisia - Africa|trans-title=Migrants: Alfano, Tunisia-Africa agreement tomorrow|agency=Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata|date=8 February 2017|language=it|access-date=14 April 2019}}

During his premiership, Gentiloni and his Interior Minister, Marco Minniti, promoted stricter policies regarding immigration and public security, to reduce the number of immigrants toward Italy and to counteract the populist propaganda promoted by the far-right Northern League.{{cite web|url=https://www.internazionale.it/notizie/annalisa-camilli/2017/04/12/decreto-minniti-orlando-legge|title=Il decreto Minniti-Orlando sull'immigrazione è legge|trans-title=The Minniti-Orlando immigration decree is law|language=it|date=12 April 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}} In July 2017 the government promoted the so-called "Minniti Code", which must be subscribed by the NGOs that are involved in rescuing asylum seekers in the Mediterranean.{{cite news|url=https://www.repubblica.it/cronaca/2017/07/31/news/migranti_msf_non_firma_codice_ong-172058967/|title=Migranti, codice Ong: Msf non firma. Minniti: "Chi non sottoscrive regolamento è fuori"|work=la Repubblica|language=it|date=31 July 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}}

Among other things, the code forbids NGO vessels from entering Libyan territorial waters.{{cite news|title=Minniti says debate on NGO code over|url=http://www.ansa.it/english/news/politics/2017/07/26/minniti-says-debate-on-ngo-code-over_ac2ae7f5-f867-499e-a061-a2cc1261c4f8.html|agency=Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata|date=26 July 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}} Minniti and Gentiloni warned those NGOs who did not sign the pact that they have set themselves "outside of the organised system for rescue at sea". Some NGOs refused to sign the new code of conduct; Médecins Sans Frontières was the first charity to officially announce its 'no' to the code, saying that there were no conditions under which to sign. Facing growing public discontent and scrutiny by the Italian, Libyan, and EU authorities, MSF had to suspend its activities in the Mediterranean sea.{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/msf-sea-eye-med-libya_uk_5990431ee4b09071f69a44b8|title=MSF and Sea-Eye Suspend Migrant Rescues In Mediterranean Over Security Fears|author=Chris York|author2=Paco Anselmi|work=HuffPost|date=14 August 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}} The German NGO, Sea Watch, said that the code was "largely illegal" and "will not save lives but will have the opposite effect".{{cite web|url=http://www.italianinsider.it/?q=node/5708|author=Viveca Knapp|title=Italy's 'code of conduct' for NGOs refused by 6/8 charities|work=The Italian Insider|date=1 August 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}}

In December 2017, the Gentiloni announced the peacekeeping mission which consists in the sending of 450 soldiers in Niger, to help the local forces in the fight against migrants' traffickers and Islamic terrorism.{{cite news|date=14 December 2017|url=https://www.ilpost.it/2017/12/14/missione-italia-niger/|title=Il governo manderà soldati italiani in Niger|work=Il Post|access-date=14 April 2019}} The deal was reached along with French President Emmanuel Macron, who stated that French troops, which were already in the area, will cooperate with Italian ones.{{cite news|url=https://www.lastampa.it/2017/12/14/esteri/patto-gentilonimacron-per-il-sahel-3mlckBor24zhaBu1cRldAK/premium.html|author=Paolo Levi|title=Patto Gentiloni-Macron per il Sahel|work=La Stampa|date=14 December 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}}{{cite news|date=24 December 2017|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-defence-niger/italy-pm-plans-to-shift-military-forces-from-iraq-to-niger-idUSKBN1EI0E2|title=Italy PM plans to shift military forces from Iraq to Niger|work=Reuters|access-date=14 April 2019}}

After the rejection of the constitutional reform, the Parliament had to change the electoral law proposed by Renzi's government; in fact the so-called Italicum regulates only the election of the Chamber of Deputies, and not that of the Senate, which, if the reform passed, would be indirectly elected by citizens. The PD proposed a new electoral law called Mattarellum bis, better known as Rosatellum,{{cite news|date=18 May 2017|language=it|access-date=14 April 2019|work=la Repubblica|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2017/05/18/news/legge_elettorale_rosatellum_senato-165725513/|title=Legge elettorale, il 5 giugno in aula. Il Pd spinge sul Rosatellum, ma i numeri in Senato restano incerti|trans-title=Electoral law, June 5 in the courtroom. The Democratic Party pushes on the Rosatellum, but the numbers in the Senate remain uncertain}} from the name of his main proponent Ettore Rosato, Democratic leader in the Chamber of Deputies.{{cite web|url=https://www.adnkronos.com/fatti/politica/2017/05/17/legge-elettorale-ecco-cosa-prevede-testo-del_N1zLZl6CR7jEqRCdaNv12N.html|title=Legge elettorale, cosa prevede il 'Rosatellum'|trans-title=Electoral law, what does the 'Rosatellum' provide|agency=Adnkronos|date=17 May 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}} This electoral law was similar to the one which was applied in Italy from 1993 to 2005.{{cite news|url=http://www.rainews.it/dl/rainews/articoli/Legge-elettorale-arriva-il-Rosatellum-c46c0e3c-3792-47ad-9229-ba5e9573c6aa.html|title=Arriva il "Rosatellum", Renzi: a giugno la nuova legge elettorale|trans-title=The "Rosatellum" arrives, Renzi: a new electoral law in June|language=it|date=17 May 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}}

The Rosatellum used an additional member system, which act as a mixed system, with 37% of seats allocated using a first past the post electoral system, 61% using a proportional method, with one round of voting and 2% elected in the overseas constituencies. The Senate and the Chamber of Deputies did not differ in the way they allocated the proportional seats, both using the D'Hondt method of allocating seats.{{cite news|url=https://www.corriere.it/politica/cards/come-funziona-rosatellum/iter_principale.shtml|title=Ma come funziona il Rosatellum?|author=Falci, Giuseppe Alberto|work=Corriere della Sera|language=it|date=7 October 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/notizie/2017-09-21/rosatellum-20-tutti-rischi-nuovo-patto-nazareno-082520.shtml|title=Rosatellum 2.0, tutti i rischi del nuovo Patto del Nazareno|trans-title=Rosatellum 2.0, all the risks of the new Pact of the Nazarene|author=Emilia Patta|work=Il Sole 24 Ore|language=it|date=21 September 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}} The new electoral law was supported by PD and his government ally Popular Alternative, but also by the opposition parties Forza Italia and Lega Nord.{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.it/2017/10/07/il-patto-a-quattro-pd-ap-lega-fi-regge-primo-ok-al-rosatellum-martedi-in-aula-alla-camera_a_23235808/|title=Il patto a quattro Pd-Ap-Lega-Fi regge. Primo ok al Rosatellum, martedì in Aula alla Camera|date=7 October 2017|language=it|work=HuffPost|access-date=14 April 2019}}

Despite many protests from the Five Star Movement and Article One, which accused Renzi and Gentiloni to have used the confidence vote in order to approve the law,{{cite news|language=it|url=https://www.ilfoglio.it/politica/2017/10/10/news/cosi-la-legge-elettorale-e-diventata-una-questione-di-fiducia-156848/|title=Così la legge elettorale è diventata una questione di fiducia|trans-title=Thus the electoral law has become a matter of trust|work=Il Foglio|date=10 October 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}} on 12 October the electoral law was approved by the Chamber of Deputies with 375 votes in favor and 215 against.{{cite news|author=Silvio Buzzanca|author2=Paolo Gallori|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2017/10/12/news/il_rosatellum_alla_prova_del_voto_segreto_finale-178045315/|title=Rosatellum approvato alla Camera. Evitata la trappola dello scrutinio segreto. Via libera al salva-Verdini|date=12 October 2017|language=it|work=la Repubblica|access-date=14 April 2019}}

{{see also|List of official trips made by Paolo Gentiloni}}

File:Paolo Gentiloni and Donald Trump.jpg Donald Trump in April 2017]]

Paolo Gentiloni strongly supports European integration and a multi-speed Europe.{{cite news|url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2017/03/06/ue-merkel-si-a-europa-a-due-velocita-gentiloni-ci-siano-diversi-livelli-di-integrazione/3435134/|title=Ue, Merkel: "Sì a Europa a due velocità". Gentiloni: "Ci siano diversi livelli di integrazione"|trans-title=EU, Merkel: "Yes to multispeed Europe". Gentiloni: "There are different levels of integration"|language=it|date=6 March 2017|work=Il Fatto Quotidiano|access-date=14 April 2019}} During his premiership, Gentiloni faced several challenging foreign policy situations, such as the European debt crisis, the civil war in Libya, the insurgency of the Islamic State (IS) in the Middle East. Gentiloni set up good relations with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, UK Prime Minister Theresa May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron.{{cite web|url=https://voce.com.ve/2017/04/21/235495/migranti-e-libero-mercato-asse-tra-gentiloni-e-trudeau/|title=Migranti e libero mercato, asse tra Gentiloni e Trudeau - La Voce d'Italia|date=21 April 2017|work=La Voce|language=it|access-date=14 April 2019}}

In April 2017, he was invited to the White House by President Trump, where the two leaders discussed the serious crisis caused by the civil wars in Libya and Syria, the tensions with Vladimir Putin's Russia and their key partnership against the Islamic terrorism.{{cite news|url=https://www.repubblica.it/esteri/2017/04/20/news/italia_usa_gentiloni_incontro_trump-163496345/|title=Trump accoglie il premier Gentiloni alla Casa Bianca: "Italia partner chiave contro terrore"|trans-title=Trump invited Prime Minister Gentiloni to the White House: "Italy key partner against terror"|language=it|work=la Repubblica|date=20 April 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.ilmessaggero.it/primopiano/esteri/incontro_paolo_gentiloni_trump_casa_bianca-2392128.html|title=USA, Gentiloni incontra Trump alla Casa Bianca|trans-title=USA, Gentiloni meets Trump in the White House|work=Il Messaggero|language=it|date=20 April 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}}

As Prime Minister, he hosted the 43rd G7 summit in Taormina, Sicily. This summit was the first one for him and also for U.S. President Donald Trump, Prime Minister May, and President Macron.{{cite web|url=http://www.g7italy.it/en|title=g7-|website=www.g7italy.it|access-date=14 September 2017}} It was the first time since 1987 that the G7 summit in Italy was not hosted by Silvio Berlusconi.

While in office, Gentiloni built up a series of close relations with the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf, based especially on commercial agreements regarding oil and offshore producing concessions.{{cite news|url=https://www.eni.com/en_IT/media/2018/03/eni-establishes-a-long-term-presence-in-uae-acquiring-a-stake-in-two-offshore-producing-concessions|title=Eni establishes a long term presence in UAE acquiring a stake in two offshore producing concessions|publisher=Eni|access-date=14 April 2019}} Gentiloni visited the Arab peninsula three times thought his premiership. On 1 May 2017, he went to Kuwait, where he had bilateral meetings with the Emir Sabah al-Ahmad and the crown prince Nawaf Al-Ahmad; later the premier visited the Italian soldiers stationed in Kuwait as part of the anti-ISIL coalition.{{cite web|url=http://www.governo.it/articolo/gentiloni-kuwait/7231|title=Gentiloni in Kuwait|date=1 May 2017|archive-date=9 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170509173547/http://www.governo.it/articolo/gentiloni-kuwait/7231|url-status=dead}} On 31 October 2017, the Prime Minister met in Riyadh, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the crown prince Mohammed bin Salman.[http://www.governo.it/media/visita-di-gentiloni-arabia-saudita/8353 Visita di Gentiloni in Arabia Saudita] Gentiloni, later visited Qatar, where he met with the Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and visited the National Library of Qatar with Emir's consort, Moza bint Nasser.{{cite news|url=https://ambdoha.esteri.it/ambasciata_doha/en/ambasciata/news/dall_ambasciata/2017/11/visita-del-presidente-gentiloni.html|title=Il Presidente Gentiloni in Qatar|date=9 November 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}} Gentiloni visited the United Arab Emirates twice; the first one in November 2017 and the second one in March 2018, when he met in Abu Dhabi the crown prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. During his visit he participated in the signing ceremony of a commercial agreement between Eni and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.{{cite news|url=https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/notizie/2018-11-15/conte-eau-primi-sette-mesi-2018-interscambio-calo-76percento--100011.shtml|author=Andrea Carli|title=Conte negli EAU. Nei primi sette mesi 2018 interscambio con l'Italia in calo del 7,6%|trans-title=Conte in the UAE. In the first seven months, 2018 trade with Italy down 7.6%|language=it|date=31 October 2017|work=Il Sole 24 Ore|access-date=14 April 2019}}

File:Vladimir Putin with Paolo Gentiloni (2017-05-17) 03.jpg in May 2017]]

In May 2017, he had an official trip to China to meet President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Keqiang, to discuss about the One Belt One Road Initiative, a development strategy proposed by the Chinese government that focuses on connectivity and cooperation between Eurasian countries.{{cite news|url=http://www.ilgiornale.it/news/politica/gentiloni-pechino-rilanciare-nuova-seta-1397639.html|author=Raffaello Binelli|title=Gentiloni a Pechino per rilanciare la "Via della Seta"|trans-title=Gentiloni in Beijing to relaunch the "Silk Road"|work=Il Giornale|date=16 May 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}} Gentiloni stated that "Italy can be a key protagonist in this great operation: it is a great opportunity for us and my presence here means how much we consider it important."{{cite news|url=https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/notizie/2017-05-14/gentiloni-cina-l-italia-puo-essere-protagonista-nuova-via-seta-152407.shtml?uuid=AEaKmFMB|author=Nicoletta Cottone|title=Gentiloni in Cina: "L'Italia può essere protagonista della nuova Via della seta"|trans-title=Gentiloni in China: "Italy can be the protagonist of the new Silk Road"|work=Il Sole 24 Ore|date=14 May 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}}

On 16 and 17 May, Paolo Gentiloni went to Sochi, where he met Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders stressed their hope for a re-opening of a dialogue between Russia and NATO. They also signed six economic deals between the Italian Eni and the Russian Rosneft.{{cite news|url=https://www.agi.it/estero/gentiloni_putin_e_i_sei_accordi_di_sochi-1784336/news/2017-05-17/|title=Gentiloni, Putin e i sei accordi di Sochi|trans-title=Gentiloni, Putin and the six Sochi agreements|agency=Agenzia Giornalistica Italia|date=17 May 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}}

On 20 September, Prime Minister Gentiloni spoke at the United Nations General Assembly during the UN annual summit in New York City. Gentiloni focused his speech on the problem of climatic change, the facing of the migrant crisis and the fight against Islamic terrorism.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GF1vZvAI1rI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/GF1vZvAI1rI |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|title=L'intervento del Presidente Gentiloni in Assemblea Generale Onu|trans-title=The speech by President Gentiloni at the UN General Assembly|publisher=YouTube|date=20 September 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}}{{cbignore}}

File:The Prime Minister of the Republic of Italy, Mr. Paolo Gentiloni signing the visitors’ book, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on October 30, 2017. The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi is also seen.jpg, in October 2017]]

On 29 and 30 October, Gentiloni went to India, where he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi.{{cite news|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/gentilonis-visit-to-india-today-a-first-by-any-italian-pm/articleshow/61313498.cms|agency=TNN|title=Gentiloni in India|date=29 October 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}} After some years of tensions due to the 2012 Enrica Lexie case, in which two Italian marines were arrested for killing two fishermen in Kerala, the two countries revived normal relations.{{cite news|work=Il Sole 24 Ore|url=http://www.italy24.ilsole24ore.com/art/business-and-economy/2017-04-21/india-represents-new-frontier-for-italian-mechanical-businesses-121630.php?uuid=AEHJWB9|author=Gianluca Di Donfrancesco|title=India can become a key market for Italian machinery makers|language=it|date=21 April 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}} The two leaders signed some economic treaties and discussed the recognition of the Hare Krishnas, who still are not recognized in Italy as a religious minority.{{cite news|author=Vincenzo Nigro|work=la Repubblica|language=it|date=30 October 2017|access-date=14 April 2019|url=https://www.repubblica.it/esteri/2017/10/30/news/india_il_premier_modi_riceve_gentiloni_ma_perche_l_italia_blocca_gli_hare_krishna_-179745786/|title=India, il premier Modi riceve Gentiloni: "Ma perché l'Italia blocca gli Hare Krishna?"|trans-title=India, Prime Minister Modi receives Gentiloni: "But why does Italy block the Hare Krishna?"}} Gentiloni was the first Italian leader to visit India since Romano Prodi in 2007; Gentiloni and Modi described the visit as a "new beginning" and a great opportunity for both countries.{{cite news|agency=Rai News24|date=30 October 2017|url=http://www.rainews.it/dl/rainews/articoli/Paolo-Gentiloni-in-India-vertice-con-il-premier-Modri-Grande-opportunita-di-rilancio-c75c0afc-04dc-4da2-9f3b-8f5e79c7fdd2.html|title=Paolo Gentiloni in India, vertice con il premier Modi: "Grande opportunità di rilancio"|language=it|access-date=14 April 2019}}

During his term as foreign affairs minister and especially during his premiership, Gentiloni started a policy review which led to the creation of the Italy–Africa initiative, which includes renewable energy cooperation and a new package of development aid in fields stretching from health care to culture; counterterrorism has been a key part of his agenda, but the West Africa region is also important to stop the migration flows from there to Italy through North Africa, especially Libya.{{cite web|url=https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/trend-lines/16342/italy-tries-to-make-up-for-lost-time-in-africa|title=Italy Tries to Make Up for Lost Time in Africa|publisher=World Politics Review|date=29 July 2015|access-date=14 April 2019}} In November 2017 he started one of the most important foreign mission of his tenure. On 24 November, Gentiloni visited Tunisia, where he met President Beji Caid Essebsi and Prime Minister Youssef Chahed, with whom he discussed the migrant crisis, the fight against terrorism and the Libyan Civil War. He also had a meeting with the Italian community in Tunis.{{cite news|url=http://www.askanews.it/esteri/2017/11/25/gentiloni-in-tunisia-collaborazione-su-libia-e-migranti-top10_20171125_194848/|title=Gentiloni in Tunisia, collaborazione su Libia e migrant|trans-title=Gentiloni in Tunisia, collaboration on Libya and migrants|agency=ASCA|date=25 November 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}} On 26 November he moved to Angola, where he had a bilateral meeting with President João Lourenço; the two leaders signed many economic deals between Eni and the Angolan Sonangol Group.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbZ3VmcdCHI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/KbZ3VmcdCHI |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|title=Luanda, Gentiloni incontra il Presidente della Repubblica di Angola|trans-title=Luanda, Gentiloni meets the President of the Republic of Angola|publisher=YouTube|date=27 November 2017|access-date=6 April 2019}}{{cbignore}} On the following days Gentiloni went to Ghana to meet President Nana Akufo-Addo and visit Eni's plant named "John Agyekum Kufuor".{{cite web|url=https://formiche.net/gallerie/gentiloni-visita-ghana-foto/|title=La visita del presidente Gentiloni in Ghana|trans-title=President Gentiloni's visit to Ghana|date=29 November 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}} On 28 November he moved to Ivory Coast to participate at the EU–African Union summit.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-fe-iVLEqU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/P-fe-iVLEqU |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|title=Il Presidente Gentiloni in Costa d'Avorio per il Vertice Ue–Africa|trans-title=President Gentiloni in Ivory Coast for the EU-Africa Summit|publisher=YouTube|date=29 November 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}}{{cbignore}}

On 28 December 2017, after meeting with Gentiloni, President Sergio Mattarella dissolved the Parliament and called new elections for 4 March 2018.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/italys-president-calls-national-elections-as-country-grapples-with-economic-pain-1514481781|title=Italy's President Calls National Elections, as Country Grapples With Economic Pain|author=Deborah Ball|author2=Giovanni Legorano|language=it|date=28 December 2017|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=14 April 2019}} Gentiloni remained in office during this period as a caretaker Prime Minister.{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.it/2017/12/28/che-poteri-ha-gentiloni-in-ordinaria-amministrazione_a_23318871/|title=Che poteri ha Gentiloni in "ordinaria amministrazione"|trans-title=What powers Gentiloni has in "ordinary administration"|date=28 December 2017|language=it|work=HuffPost|access-date=14 April 2019}} During the 2018 Italian general election campaign, many prominent members of the Democratic Party, including Romano Prodi, Walter Veltroni, and Carlo Calenda, publicly asked Matteo Renzi to renounce his candidacy for Prime Minister and promote Gentiloni as the party's candidate.{{cite news|url=http://www.affaritaliani.it/politica/palazzo-potere/pd-519123.html|title=Elezioni 4 Marzo 2018: "Gentiloni candidato Premier del Pd". Lo vuole il Colle|language=it|date=14 January 2018|access-date=14 April 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2018/02/17/news/elezioni_prodi_serve_coalizione_centrosinistra_forte_-189079102/|title=Elezioni, Prodi sceglie Insieme e investe Gentiloni: "Con lui Paese è più forte"|work=la Repubblica|language=it|date=17 February 2018|access-date=14 April 2019}} Gentiloni refused to endorse the view of his colleagues, and Renzi remained within the party leadership .{{cite news|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2018/01/17/news/gentiloni_e_i_ministri_candidati_nei_collegi-186712020/|title=Renzi: "Schiero la squadra migliore: Gentiloni e tutti i ministri nei collegi"|work=la Repubblica|language=it|date=17 January 2018|access-date=14 April 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.lastampa.it/2018/02/27/italia/gentiloni-avverte-renzi-il-pd-ha-tanti-candidati-nRvNDjPJGsvFnzompMLyTK/pagina.html|title=Gentiloni a Renzi: "Il Pd ha tanti candidati premier". Sul M5S: "Surreale un governo ombra ora"|work=La Stampa|language=it|date=27 February 2018|access-date=14 April 2019}}

The election resulted in the centre-right alliance, led by Matteo Salvini's League, winning a plurality of seats in the Chamber of Deputies and in the Senate, while the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, led by Luigi Di Maio, became the party with the largest individual number of votes; the centre-left coalition, led by Renzi and the Democratic Party, finished third.{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/speciali/politica/elezioni2018/2018/03/04/news/risultati_elezioni_politiche_pd_centrodestra_m5s_fi_lega-190424815/?ref=RHPPTP-BL-I0-C12-P1-S1.12-T1|author=Piera Matteucchi|title=Elezioni politiche: vincono M5s e Lega. Crollo del Partito democratico. Centrodestra prima coalizione. Il Carroccio sorpassa Forza Italia|language=it|date=4 March 2018|work=la Repubblica|access-date=14 April 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.corriere.it/elezioni-2018/notizie/elezioni-2018-exit-poll-risultati-proiezioni-spoglio-eb21387e-1ff1-11e8-a09a-92b478235f6f.shtml|title=Elezioni 2018: M5S primo partito, nel centrodestra la Lega supera FI|author=Alessandro Sala|work=Corriere della Sera|language=it|date=4 March 2018|access-date=14 April 2019}} After negotiations lasting several months, the League and the Five Star Movement agreed a programme for a coalition government led by the independent Giuseppe Conte; Gentiloni resigned as Prime Minister on 1 June 2018.

Gentiloni chose not to contest the leadership of the Democratic Party, instead remaining on the backbench within the Chamber of Deputies, where he frequently attacked the policies of Matteo Salvini as Interior Minister, particularly on immigration, Romani people and gun laws.{{cite news|url=https://www.ilmessaggero.it/primopiano/politica/gentiloni_salvini_polemica_rom_18_giugno_2018-3804874.html|title=Gentiloni a Salvini: "Oggi i rom, domani pistole per tutti"|trans-title=Gentiloni to Salvini: «Today the Roma, tomorrow guns for everyone»|work=Il Messaggero|language=it|date=18 June 2018|access-date=14 April 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.it/2018/06/18/gentiloni-risponde-a-salvini-ieri-i-rifugiati-oggi-i-rom-domani-pistole-per-tutti-e-con-lui-vanno-giu-duri-orfini-camusso-martina-e-tutta-la-sinistra_a_23461872/|title=Gentiloni risponde a Salvini: "Ieri i rifugiati, oggi i rom, domani pistole per tutti". E con lui vanno giù duri Orfini, Camusso, Martina e tutta la sinistra|work=HuffPost|language=it|date=18 June 2018|access-date=14 April 2019}} On 28 June 2018, during an interview with Lilli Gruber's Otto e mezzo, Gentiloni announced his intention to play a role in the formation of a broad centre-left coalition, which was seen by many as an intention to become the candidate for Prime Minister of the centre-left at the next election.{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.it/2018/06/28/costruiro-una-alleanza-per-lalternativa-ora-dobbiamo-cambiare-tutte-le-facce_a_23470463/?ncid=tweetlnkithpmg00000001|title=Costruirò una alleanza per l'alternativa: ora dobbiamo cambiare tutte le face|work=HuffPost|date=28 June 2018|access-date=14 April 2019}} Nothing came of these plans; in October 2018, Gentiloni endorsed Nicola Zingaretti in the election for the new PD Secretary.{{cite news|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2018/11/15/news/pd_gentiloni_appoggia_zingaretti_segreteria-211692069/|title=Pd, Gentiloni appoggia Zingaretti alla segreteria: "Coraggioso, è la maggiore novità"|work=la Repubblica|date=15 November 2018|access-date=14 April 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2018/10/14/news/pd_zingaretti_congresso_partito_democratico_piazza_grande_segreteria_gentiloni_king-208915545/|title=Pd, Zingaretti: "C'è un'alternativa all'odio". Gentiloni: "Con questo governo in fumo anni di fatica degli italiani"|work=la Repubblica|date=14 October 2018|access-date=14 April 2019}} After Zingaretti won the election in March 2019, he appointed Gentiloni as the President of the Democratic Party.{{cite news|website=Quotidiano.net|url=https://www.quotidiano.net/politica/pd-assemblea-nazionale-2019-1.4495524|title=Pd, Zingaretti proclamato segretario. Gentiloni eletto president|trans-title=Pd, Zingaretti proclaimed secretary. Gentiloni elected president|language=it|date=17 March 2019|access-date=14 April 2019}}

File:Hearing with Paolo Gentiloni, candidate commissioner for economy (48836478732).jpg as candidate for Commissioner for Economy.]]

In August 2019, tensions between the League and Five Star Movement (5SM) became public, leading to a motion of no-confidence in Giuseppe Conte as Prime Minister.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/20/world/europe/italy-pm-giuseppe-conte-resign.html|title=Italy's Government Collapses, Turning Chaos Into Crisis|first=Jason|last=Horowitz|newspaper=The New York Times |date=20 August 2019}} Conte initially offered his resignation, but in a surprise move, Gentiloni led the national executive of the Democratic Party in announcing it would be open to the possibility of forming a new coalition with the M5S, based on pro-Europeanism, green economy, sustainable development, the fight against economic inequality and a new immigration policy, and while keeping Conte as Prime Minister.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/20/italian-pm-expected-resign-giuseppe-conte|title=Italian PM resigns with attack on 'opportunist' Salvini|first=Angela|last=Giuffrida|newspaper=The Guardian |date=20 August 2019|via=www.theguardian.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2019/08/21/news/governo_il_testo_integrale_della_relazione_di_zingaretti_alla_direzione_pd-234041294/|title=Governo, Zingaretti: "I 5 punti per trattare con il M5S. No accordicchi, governo di svolta"|date=21 August 2019|website=Repubblica.it}} On 29 August 2019, President Sergio Mattarella invited Conte to form a new coalition government between 5SM and the PD, with several PD politicians entering the Cabinet.{{cite web |title=Il Presidente Mattarella ha conferito l'incarico al Prof. Conte di formare il Governo |url=https://www.quirinale.it/elementi/35484 |website=Quirinale |access-date=29 August 2019 |language=it}} On 5 September 2019, the new Cabinet was sworn in; later that afternoon, following the first meeting of the new Cabinet, Conte announced that the Government had decided to nominate Gentiloni as the new Italian European Commissioner within the Von der Leyen Commission.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/in-edicola/articoli/2019/09/05/il-giorno-di-gentiloni-i-ruoli-ue-in-mano-al-pd/5431323/|title=Il giorno di Gentiloni, i ruoli Ue in mano al Partito democratico|website=Il Fatto Quotidiano}}

On 10 September, Ursula von der Leyen announced that she would hand Gentiloni the role of Commissioner for Economy if he was successfully approved by the European Parliament.{{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/interim/commissioners-designate|date=10 September 2019|title=Commissioners-designate|website=ec.europa.eu|publisher=European Commission|access-date=10 September 2019}} On 3 October, the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs approved Gentiloni's nomination for the role.[http://www.ansa.it/english/news/world/2019/10/03/ep-approves-gentiloni-nomination_abcab0d7-9e5e-482e-9216-4437ab908823.html EP approves Gentiloni nomination] On 30 November, Gentiloni announced his retirement from the Chamber of Deputies, after almost 19 years of service.[http://www.rainews.it/dl/rainews/articoli/ue-gentiloni-lascia-scranno-camera-collegio-roma-centro-voto-primavera-23ddb29a-6faa-4dc2-baad-8f1770c4a062.html Ue, Gentiloni lascia scranno Camera. Collegio Roma Centro al voto in primavera] The resignation became effective on 2 December.[https://www.camera.it/leg18/29?shadow_deputato=300637&idpersona=300637&idlegislatura=18 XVIII Legislatura – Deputati e Organi – Scheda deputato: Gentiloni Silveri Paolo] During his final speech to the Chamber, he said: "I make a solemn commitment to hold together the national and European interests. I am an Italian man in love with Italy, I am a patriot, and I will try to make it clear that the best way to protect the national interest is to do so in the European dimension."[https://www.fanpage.it/politica/gentiloni-va-in-ue-e-si-dimette-da-deputato-lultimo-saluto-alla-camera-saro-patriota/ Gentiloni va in Ue e si dimette da deputato, l’ultimo saluto alla Camera: “Sarò patriota”] On 1 December 2019, he formally began his new role within the European Commission.[http://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/mondo/europa/2019/12/01/ue-gentiloni-crescita-sia-sostenibile_2f4f21df-3120-44fe-9391-7c3cd578fc5f.html Ue: Gentiloni, crescita sia sostenibile]

In early March 2020, Gentiloni was appointed by President von der Leyen to serve on the Commission's special task force to coordinate their response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely affected the European Union.Laura Kayali, Paola Tamma and Hans von der Burchard (April 9, 2020), [https://www.politico.eu/article/frances-freewheeling-thierry-breton-is-having-a-good-crisis-coronavirus/ France’s freewheeling Thierry Breton rises to the crisis] Politico Europe. The task force's plan consisted in the Next Generation EU program, an economic recovery package to support member states adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Agreed to by the European Council on 21 July 2020, the fund is worth {{Euro|750 billion|link=yes}}. The NGEU fund will operate from 2021 to 2023, and will be tied to the regular 2021–2027 budget of the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The comprehensive NGEU and MFF packages are projected to reach €1824.3 billion.[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/european-council/2020/07/17-21/ Special European Council, 17–21 July 2020 – Main results] Retrieved 15 November 2020.

In late 2024, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Gentiloni to a group of experts to promote actionable policy solutions and galvanize political and public support required to resolve the developing world’s debt crisis, chaired by Mahmoud Mohieldin.[https://press.un.org/en/2024/sga2311.doc.htm-0 Secretary-General Appoints Group of Experts to Promote Policy Solutions to Resolve Debt Crisis] United Nations, press release of 6 December 2024.

File:Secretary Kerry Walks With European Counterparts at Tufts University in Massachusetts (29787485422).jpg foreign ministers in Massachusetts, 2016.]]

Paolo Gentiloni is widely considered a Christian leftist and progressive politician.{{cite news|author=Raffaele Reina|url=http://formiche.net/2016/12/paolo-gentiloni-cattolici-politica/|title=Paolo Gentiloni e il futuro dei cattolici in politica|trans-title=Paolo Gentiloni and the future of Catholics in politics|language=it|access-date=14 April 2019}} Despite having started his political career within the extra-parliamentary far-left movements, Gentiloni later assumed more Christian democratic and social liberal views.{{cite web|url=http://www.famigliacristiana.it/articolo/gentiloni.aspx|title=Paolo Gentiloni, il grande mediatore|trans-title=The great mediator, Paolo Gentiloni|work=Famiglia Cristiana|date=11 December 2016|access-date=14 April 2019}} Gentiloni is in favour of the recognition of civil unions for same-sex couples and stepchild adoptions, a situation which occurs when at least one parent has children, from a previous relationship, that are not genetically related to the other parent.{{cite news|url=https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/notizie/2016-01-31/unioni-civili-martedi-primo-scoglio-pregiudiziali-adozioni-rischio-il-voto-segreto--145908.shtml?uuid=AC7YLyKC|title=Unioni civili, pressing su Renzi, ma governo va avanti. Martedì primo scoglio sulle pregiudiziali|work=Il Sole 24 Ore|language=it|date=31 January 2016|access-date=14 April 2019}} He also supports the advance healthcare directive.{{cite web|url=https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:legge:2017-12-22;219|title=Norme in materia di consenso informato e di disposizioni anticipate di trattamento|publisher=Normattiva|language=it|date=22 December 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://proversi.it/discussioni/pro-contro/176-biotestamento|title=Biotestamento. Favorevole o contrario?|trans-title=Bioessey. Favorable or contrary?|website=ProVersi.it|date=19 February 2018|language=it|access-date=14 April 2019}}

While traditionally supporting the social integration of immigrants, since 2017 Paolo Gentiloni has adopted a more critical approach on the issue.{{cite news|url=http://www.rainews.it/dl/rainews/articoli/Renzi-Senegal-torna-su-questione-migranti-Non-rinunciamo-a-salvare-vite-in-mare-51db8099-e0c5-4bda-b07a-80a1e17c5b90.html|title=Renzi in Senegal torna sulla questione migranti: "Non rinunciamo a salvare vite in mare"|trans-title=Renzi in Senegal answers question regarding migrants: "We will not give up saving lives at sea"|agency=Rai News24|date=3 February 2016|access-date=14 April 2019}} Inspired by Marco Minniti, his Interior Minister, the government promoted stricter policies regarding immigration and public security.{{cite web|url=https://www.lastampa.it/2017/07/07/italia/politica/aiutiamoli-a-casa-loro-polemica-sui-social-per-la-frase-di-renzi-gOHlxafrQL0UVEDiFJf66K/pagina.html|title="Aiutiamoli a casa loro": polemica sui social per la frase di Renzi|trans-title="Help them at home": Controversy on social media regarding Renzi's phrase|work=La Stampa|date=7 July 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.liberoquotidiano.it/news/politica/12303578/marco-minniti-ritratto-comunista-che-non-sa-di-esserlo.html|title="Che cosa dicono gli amici su di lui": il segreto (svelato) di Marco Minniti|trans-title="What friends say about him": The (unveiled) secret about Marco Minniti|work=Libero|date=13 February 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}} These policies resulted in broad criticism from the left-wing Article One, PD's partners in the cabinet which later left the government's majority, as well as left-leaning intellectuals like Roberto Saviano and Gad Lerner.{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.it/2017/03/17/saviano-pd-scappate_n_15428212.html|title=Roberto Saviano durissimo sul decreto Minniti: "Se avete rispetto per l'uomo, scappate dal Pd"|trans-title=Roberto Saviano very tough on the Minniti decree: "If you have respect for man, run away from the Democratic Party"|language=it|date=17 March 2017|work=HuffPost|access-date=14 April 2019}} In August Lerner, who was among the founding members of the Democratic Party, left the party altogether, due to the government's new immigration policies.{{cite web|url=http://www.ilpost.it/2017/08/23/gad-lerner-lascia-il-partito-democratico-contestando-la-sua-linea-sui-migranti/|title=Gad Lerner lascia il Partito Democratico, contestando la sua linea sui migranti - Il Post|date=23 August 2017|work=Il Post|access-date=14 April 2019}}

Gentiloni is considered by many journalists, politicians and commentators a skilled political mediator and well-wisher of a collective leadership, based on consociationalism and power-sharing, very different from the overflowing political style of his predecessor and former party mate, Matteo Renzi.{{cite news|url=http://espresso.repubblica.it/palazzo/2017/01/27/news/homo-gentilonianus-cosi-paolo-gentiloni-e-diventato-l-alternativa-al-renzismo-1.294293|author=Marco Damilano|title=Homo Gentilonianus, così Paolo Gentiloni è diventato l'alternativa al renzismo|work=la Repubblica|language=it|date=30 January 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}} Due to his nature and political views, Gentiloni was sometimes compared to Romano Prodi, former prime minister and founder of the centre-left coalition.{{cite news|url=https://www.alessioporcu.it/articoli/zingaretti-renzi-gentiloni-tentazione-dalema-prodi-rutelli/|title=Zingaretti, Renzi e Gentiloni come D'Alema, Rutelli e Prodi: ci può stare|date=28 December 2018|access-date=14 April 2019}}

According to public opinion surveys in December 2017, after one year of government, Gentiloni's approval rating was 44%, the second highest rating after that of President Sergio Mattarella, and far higher than the other prominent politicians; moreover his approval rating has increased since he came into office.{{cite web|url=http://www.affaritaliani.it/politica/palazzo-potere/elezioni-2018-sondaggi-renzi-superato-da-grasso-la-classifica-dei-leader-515846.html|title=Elezioni 2018 sondaggi: Renzi superato da Grasso. La Classifica dei Leader|language=it|date=19 December 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://it.reuters.com/article/topNews/idITKBN1D14NS-OITTP|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171101174109/http://it.reuters.com/article/topNews/idITKBN1D14NS-OITTP|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 1, 2017|title=Gentiloni sempre n.1 in sondaggio Ixé su fiducia leader, ma Di Maio...|trans-title=Gentiloni always n.1 in Ixé survey on trust leader, but Di Maio...|work=Reuters|language=it|date=1 November 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}} After the 2018 general election, Gentiloni's approval rating rose to 52%, higher than every other political leader and followed by League's leader Matteo Salvini.{{cite news|url=https://rep.repubblica.it/pwa/generale/2018/04/29/news/l_italia_di_gentiloni_e_quella_di_salvini_lo_strano_derby_del_gradimento-195137585/|title=L'Italia di Gentiloni e quella di Salvini: lo strano derby del gradimento|trans-title=Gentiloni's and Salvini's Italy: The strange derby of appreciation|work=la Repubblica|date=29 April 2018|access-date=29 April 2018}}

On 10 January 2017, after an official trip in Paris to meet President François Hollande, Gentiloni suffered an obstructed coronary artery and received an emergency angioplasty.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-politics-gentiloni/italy-pm-has-heart-procedure-in-rome-hospital-after-feeling-ill-spokeswoman-idUSKBN14V0Q5|title=Italian PM Gentiloni's heart procedure completely successful: doctors|date=11 January 2017|access-date=6 April 2019|work=Reuters}} On the following day Gentiloni tweeted that he felt well and would be back at work soon.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/italys-new-prime-minister-has-angioplasty-still-in-intensive-care-1484129840|title=Italy's New Prime Minister in Intensive Care After Emergency Heart Procedure|author=Giada Zampano|date=11 January 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}} On the same day he also received well wishes from President Sergio Mattarella, former prime ministers Matteo Renzi and Silvio Berlusconi, and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau.{{cite web|url=https://www.lastampa.it/2017/01/11/italia/cronache/lieve-malore-per-gentiloni-al-rientro-da-parigi-Zu7bFM66BJDEfXMwTYCAvL/pagina.html|title=Gentiloni : "Grazie dell'affetto, sto bene e presto torno al lavoro"|trans-title=Gentiloni: "Thanks for the affection, I'm fine and soon I'm going back to work"|language=it|date=11 January 2017|access-date=14 April 2019}}

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{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{in lang|it|en}} [http://www.governo.it/governo/gentiloni-paolo/presidente-del-consiglio/paolo-gentiloni-silveri Presidente del Consiglio dei Ministri]
• {{in lang|it}} [http://www.camera.it/leg17/29?tipoAttivita=&tipoVisAtt=&tipoPersona=&shadow_deputato=300637&lettera=&idLegislatura=17 Official page at the Italian Chamber of Deputies]

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Category:1954 births

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