ROME, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Italian President Sergio Mattarella on Monday gave economist Carlo Cottarelli a mandate to form a new government.

Speaking to the nation as premier-designate, Cottarelli said that if his executive wins parliament's confidence, he will have a "cautious" approach to public finances, make sure Italy remains in the euro, and steer the country through approval of the 2019 budget.