News6 Mar 20189 Mar 2018

Renzi Resigns, Italy Split Down the Middle, War on the Spanish Right

Prime Minister Matteo Renzi of Italy answers questions from reporters in Modena, September 17, 2015 (Palazzo Chigi)

Italy’s center-left leader, Matteo Renzi, has stepped down after his Democratic Party fell from first to fourth place in the election on Sunday.

I argued here in January that Renzi had two challenges: uniting the left and convincing voters he could still deliver reforms.

He failed at both. He watered down labor reforms in an attempt to appease the left wing of his party, but they walked out anyway. He didn’t secure a supermajority for constitutional reforms, necessitating a referendum to which he then foolishly tied his own political career.

Renzi did get important things right, not in the least recognizing that the future of the Democratic Party lies not with old working-class voters but with the young and college graduates. Yet he failed to dissuade them from supporting the Five Star Movement. Read more

Analysis18 Jan 201818 Jan 2018

Italy’s Renzi Has Failed on Two Counts

Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi answers a reporter's question in Berlin, Germany, July 1, 2015 — Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi answers a reporter’s question in Berlin, Germany, July 1, 2015 (Palazzo Chigi)

When Matteo Renzi won back control of Italy’s Democratic Party a year ago, I argued he had two challenges:

Uniting the left.
Convincing voters who are desperate for reform that he could still deliver.

He has failed on both counts. Read more

Analysis30 May 20172 Jul 2017

Italy’s Renzi Calls for German-Style Voting System

Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi and German chancellor Angela Merkel address a joint news conference in Berlin, March 25, 2014 (Bundesregierung)

Italy’s Democratic Party leader, Matteo Renzi, has called for a German-style voting system in his country that could pave the way for a left-right coalition government.

Italy must have voting reform before elections can be held this year or next. Read more

Analysis3 May 20172 Jul 2017

After Winning Back Party Control, Renzi Faces Two Challenges

Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi delivers a news conference in Rome, January 13, 2016 (Palazzo Chigi)

Italy’s Matteo Renzi has won a convincing mandate for his center-left agenda, winning over 70 percent support in the Democratic Party’s leadership contest.

The former premier, who stepped down in December after losing a referendum on constitutional reform, is believed to be plotting a comeback.

After prevailing in this weekend’s primary, he can comfortably brush off criticism that he governed too much from the center. Read more

Analysis11 Dec 20166 Jul 2017

Italy’s Renzi Plots Return to Power After Referendum Defeat

Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi visits a police academy in Rome, November 9 (Palazzo Chigi)

Matteo Renzi is being replaced as Italy’s prime minister this week, but the center-left party leader is already plotting his return to the Palazzo Chigi.

President Sergio Mattarella asked Paolo Gentiloni, Renzi’s foreign minister, to form a government on Sunday, which is expected to stay in power until elections can be held.

Italian media report that the outgoing prime minister is keen to call elections in early 2017 in order to stage a comeback. Read more

News4 Dec 20166 Nov 2017

Renzi Steps Down After Italy Rejects Constitutional Reforms

Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi announced his resignation in the early hours of Monday morning after the country rejected constitutional changes he had put to a referendum.

With nearly half the votes counted, the “no” side was leading with close to 60 percent.

Speaking from the Palazzo Chigi in Rome, Renzi said he took “full responsibility” for the reforms’ defeat. Read more