Italian President Giorgio Napolitano has asked Mayor of Florence and leader of Italy’s Democratic Party Matteo Renzi to form a new coalition government.
Consultations will begin officially on Tuesday and Renzi is expected to take a few days to define his agenda and team of ministers. Italy’s new prime minister-in-waiting has already outlined his time frame: by the end of February he will concentrate on pushing through institutional and electoral reforms; in March, his focus will be on labour laws; in April, reform of public administration; and in May, tax laws.
The young leader arrived at the Quirinale driving a white Alfa Romeo Giulietta, with the head of press office Filippo Sensi.
Upon leaving the historic Sala della Vetrata, an emotional yet serious Renzi spoke to the press, ‘I have received the task of seeking to form a new government. I have conditionally accepted [the task] due to the importance and magnitude of this challenge.’
Renzi is now returning to Florence to take part in his last city council meeting as mayor of the city.
If Renzi is successful in forming a government, at 39 he will become the youngest prime minister in modern Italian history.