ROME: Former European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi was expected Friday to be formally named Italy’s new prime minister, to lead a national unity government and guide his country through the devastation of the coronavirus pandemic.

Draghi, who was brought in after the outgoing centre-left coalition collapsed, will visit President Sergio Mattarella at 7:00pm (1800 GMT), the president’s office said. Draghi has spent the last nine days assembling a government of national unity to manage the deadly pandemic that hit Italy almost exactly one year ago, triggering a deep recession.