This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/23/world/europe/italy-swears-in-new-prime-minister-39-after-ouster.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Italy Swears In New Prime Minister, 39, After Ouster Italy Swears In New Prime Minister, 39, After Ouster
(7 months later)
ROME — Matteo Renzi was sworn in on Saturday as Italy’s youngest prime minister, promising a new era of stable government after using old-school politicking to engineer the ouster of a fellow party member he deemed too timid to get the nation back to work. ROME — Matteo Renzi was sworn in on Saturday as Italy’s youngest prime minister, promising a new era of stable government after using old-school politicking to engineer the ouster of a fellow party member he deemed too timid to get the nation back to work.
The main challenge for Mr. Renzi’s broad coalition is the ailing economy, just beginning to show signs of rebounding after several years of stagnation. Youth unemployment is hovering around 40 percent. Mr. Renzi, 39, quit his post as mayor of Florence this month to take up his first national government job.The main challenge for Mr. Renzi’s broad coalition is the ailing economy, just beginning to show signs of rebounding after several years of stagnation. Youth unemployment is hovering around 40 percent. Mr. Renzi, 39, quit his post as mayor of Florence this month to take up his first national government job.
He has vowed to push electoral changes through Parliament in hopes of ending chronic political instability by reducing the influence of Italy’s tiny parties.He has vowed to push electoral changes through Parliament in hopes of ending chronic political instability by reducing the influence of Italy’s tiny parties.
In a Twitter message before being sworn in, Mr. Renzi said accomplishing his goals would be tough, but “we’ll do it.”In a Twitter message before being sworn in, Mr. Renzi said accomplishing his goals would be tough, but “we’ll do it.”
He must first win confidence votes in Parliament this week. That will not be easy, because he angered many in his Democratic Party when he maneuvered to oust Enrico Letta as premier in mid-February, breaking a promise to wait until eventual elections to gain the premiership.He must first win confidence votes in Parliament this week. That will not be easy, because he angered many in his Democratic Party when he maneuvered to oust Enrico Letta as premier in mid-February, breaking a promise to wait until eventual elections to gain the premiership.
The usually easygoing Mr. Letta gave Mr. Renzi a chilly, limp handshake during a handover ceremony at the presidential palace that lasted 20 seconds. Mr. Letta did not smile, and neither man looked the other in the eye.The usually easygoing Mr. Letta gave Mr. Renzi a chilly, limp handshake during a handover ceremony at the presidential palace that lasted 20 seconds. Mr. Letta did not smile, and neither man looked the other in the eye.
The Democratic Party is the main partner in the coalition government, which includes smaller parties ranging from center-right to center-left that were also a part of Mr. Letta’s coalition.The Democratic Party is the main partner in the coalition government, which includes smaller parties ranging from center-right to center-left that were also a part of Mr. Letta’s coalition.
Some centrists indicated they might not back Mr. Renzi in Parliament after his new cabinet excluded their only minister, who had held the defense post. In a surprise move, Mr. Renzi also excluded Emma Bonino, a staunchly pro-Europe foreign minister.Some centrists indicated they might not back Mr. Renzi in Parliament after his new cabinet excluded their only minister, who had held the defense post. In a surprise move, Mr. Renzi also excluded Emma Bonino, a staunchly pro-Europe foreign minister.
Mr. Renzi has said little about Italy’s relationship with the European Union, except that a union-ordered overemphasis on austerity measures would discourage economic revival.Mr. Renzi has said little about Italy’s relationship with the European Union, except that a union-ordered overemphasis on austerity measures would discourage economic revival.
One of the few nonpolitical appointees, Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan, missed the swearing-in. Mr. Padoan, who had been chief economist of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, was in Australia when named to the post.One of the few nonpolitical appointees, Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan, missed the swearing-in. Mr. Padoan, who had been chief economist of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, was in Australia when named to the post.