Renzi poised to form Italian government, promises rapid change | EurActiv

Renzi poised to form Italian government, promises rapid change | EurActiv

Italian centre-left leader Matteo Renzi received a
mandate on Monday to form a new government, promising rapid tax, labour
and institutional reforms to revive a deeply troubled economy.

He needs to seal a formal coalition
deal with the small centre-right NCD party to secure a majority and name
his cabinet, but will probably seek a vote of confidence in parliament
later this week.

Renzi, who engineered the removal of a party rival from the
premiership last week, plans a radical programme to lift Italy out of
its most serious economic slump since World War Two. However, he will
have to deal with the same unwieldy coalition which he criticised for
failing to pass major reforms under its previous leader.

"In this difficult situation, I will bring all the energy and
commitment I am capable of," he told reporters after President Giorgio
Napolitano gave him the mandate to form the next government.

"The sense of urgency is extraordinarily delicate and important but
it's also true that, given the time horizon we have set of a full
parliamentary term, we'll need a few days before formally accepting the
mandate," he said.