Matteo Renzi vows to make Italy a 'country of opportunity' in speech to Senate in Rome
Youngest ever Italian prime minister wins vote of confidence by 169 to 139 after his speech calling for economic change failed to convince the opposition
Prime Minister Matteo Renzi called for a “radical and immediate change” in recession-hit Italy as he outlined his new government’s programme before winning a vote of confidence in the Senate early on Tuesday.
In an energetic and impassioned speech to parliament that was light on detail, the new prime minister said there were no excuses for failing to tackle the country’s ills.
He told senators Italy would become a “country of opportunity” and later won the vote of confidence, with 169 votes in favour and 139 against, according to Senate speaker Pietro Grasso.
“If we lose this challenge the fault will be mine alone. No-one has an alibi anymore,” said the 39-year-old – Italy’s youngest ever prime minister.
“This is an Italy of possibilities, an Italy of fundamental change,” he said, stressing the “urgency” of implementing reforms in “a rusty country ... gripped by anxiety”.
Renzi, who grasped power after helping oust his predecessor Enrico Letta over failures to do enough to boost a flagging economy, reiterated plans for rapidly overhauling the tax system, job market and public administration.