The first woman to head Italy's secret services has been elected. She is a former ambassador.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Mario Draghi named Elisabetta Belloni as the new head of the Department of Information Security (DIS).

The department, which reports directly to the Italian government, is in charge of the country's international and domestic intelligence services.

Ms. Belloni, 63, has a long list of firsts to her credit.

Italian leaders, including League party leader Matteo Salvini, praised her nomination, calling her "a woman of bravery."