Video Related To: Silvio Berlusconi

He is the man Italians are hoping will help get the country out of its $2.7 trillion debt and to kick-start its stagnant economy. Mario Monti, Italy's new prime minister, after 17 years of rule by Silvio Berlusconi, is tasked with leading a new unity government and guiding Italy through tough austerity measures laid out by his predecessor. He is an economist who has held leading positions in various European think tanks, including Friends of Europe, Bruegal and the David Rockerfeller-founded Trilateral Commission, as well as being an adviser to Goldman Sachs and The Coca-Cola Company. Monti was the European Union's competition commissioner for four years, between 1999 to 2004 when notably, he brought Microsoft to trial before the European Court of Justice in an anti-trust case. Monti was also professor of economics and is the rector of his alma mater, private university, Bocconi, in Milan. Known to be a calm yet tough negotiator, this will however be Monti's first position in a national government office. Italian sentiment about Monti's appointment is divided but optimistic at the displacement of Berlusconi. The country is due to hold a national election in two years time only. Al Jazeera's Richard Martin reports.