Mario Monti an economist, studied under Tobin. In the 1990's he was a two term European Commissioner with the following portfolio Internal Market, Financial Services and Financial Integration, Customs, and Taxation. During this time he took on Microsoft on antitrust grounds and won. And also stopped the Merger of HoneyWell and General electric.
Ie he seems anti monopoly
Should be well contacted with the EU thus he is a know quantity to Europeans and hence might be in his favour. Lets see how long the he lasts. Plus for italia probably the best possible outcome