Enrico Letta resigns as Prime Minister amid internal party instability

Summary:

Reports and analyses relating to the resignation of Italy's Prime Minister Enrico Letta following the adoption by his own Democratic Party (Partito Democratico - PD) of a call for a new administration.

Further information:

The centre-left Democratic Party (DP) voted on 14 February 2013 against Enrico Letta remaining in his position as Italy's Prime Minister, after accusing him of failing to tackle the country's ailing economy. The move was led by Matteo Renzi, who had recently been elected party leader. Italy's President Giorgio Napolitano eventually asked Mr Renzi to form a new government on 17 February. The newly-appointed Prime Minister promised rapid reforms to revive the economy.

Mr Letta had been appointed Prime Minister in April 2013 following a cross-party effort to overcome political deadlock after inconclusive election results.

Commentary and Analysis

Corriere della Sera, 12/02/2014: Letta Cools to Rushing Renzi http://www.corriere.it/english/14_febbraio_12/letta-cools-to-rushing-renzi-5e67b6c2-93e3-11e3-ab25-cf30a50da2ae.shtml

Corriere della Sera, 14/02/2014: 50 Candidates for Renzi’ 12-strong Lean Team http://www.corriere.it/english/14_febbraio_14/50-candidates-for-renzi-12-strong-lean-team-10558652-9579-11e3-9c90-b9ccf089642e.shtml

La Stampa, 14/02/2014: The world once again astonished at Italy (via Euro|topics) http://archiv.eurotopics.net/en/home/medienindex/media_articles/archiv_article/ARTICLE138405-The-world-once-again-astonished-at-Italy

The Local (Italy), 14/02/2014: Why Italy's 'palace coup' is bad for democracy https://www.thelocal.it/20140214/italys-palace-coup-is-bad-news-for-democracy

BBC News, 16/02/2014: Italians keen to gamble on unelected Matteo Renzi http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26218177

Euro|topics, February 2014: Renzi set to be Italy's new PM http://archiv.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/aeltere/NEWSLETTER-2014-02-17-Renzi-set-to-be-Italy-s-new-PM

LSE: EUROPP Blog, 17/02/2014: Matteo Renzi’s transition to power is a gamble not just for his party, but for the Italian political system as a whole https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2014/02/17/matteo-renzis-transition-to-power-is-a-gamble-not-just-for-his-party-but-for-the-italian-political-system-as-a-whole/

Euro|topics, February 2014: Renzi wants quick reforms http://archiv.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/aeltere/NEWSLETTER-2014-02-18-Renzi-wants-quick-reforms

---

News

The Local (Italy), 13/02/2014: Italian PM resigns, paving way for Renzi http://www.thelocal.it/20140213/italys-governing-party-backs-call-for-change

Deutsche Welle, 13/02/2014: Italy's Prime Minister Enrico Letta to resign http://dw.de/p/1B8Fi

The Guardian, 13/02/2014: Italian PM Enrico Letta to resign http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/13/italian-pm-enrico-letta-to-resign

BBC News, 13/02/2014: Italy PM Letta's rival Renzi calls for new government http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26177042

The Guardian, 13/02/2014: Italy needs new government to replace Enrico Letta's, says Matteo Renzi http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/13/italy-new-government-enrico-letta-matteo-renzi

EurActiv, 13/02/2014: Letta feels the heat from ambitious rival https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/letta-feels-the-heat-from-ambitious-rival/

The New York Times, 13/02/2014: Italy’s Prime Minister Announces Resignation Amid Party Revolt http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/14/world/europe/italys-prime-minister-resigns-amid-party-revolt.html

BBC News, 14/02/2014: Italian PM Enrico Letta to tender resignation on Friday http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26181569

EUObserver, 14/02/2014: Younger rival ousts Italian PM http://euobserver.com/political/123145

EurActiv, 14/02/2014: Italy PM Letta to resign on Friday, Renzi seen taking over https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/italy-pm-letta-to-resign-on-friday-renzi-seen-taking-over/

Euronews, 14/02/2014: Enrico Letta to resign: Italy faces its third administration in a year http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/14/enrico-letta-to-resign-italy-faces-its-third-administration-in-a-year/

Deutsche Welle, 14/02/2014: Italian political star Renzi aims for prime minister's office http://dw.de/p/1B8P5

BBC News, 14/02/2014: Florence mayor Matteo Renzi set to be Italian PM http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26193130

Euronews, 16/02/2014: Italian president calls Renzi to Monday morning meeting http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/16/italian-president-calls-renzi-to-monday-morning-meeting/

The Guardian, 16/02/2014: Italian president set to ask Matteo Renzi to form new government http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/16/italy-matteo-renzi-government

BBC News, 17/02/2014: Italy president asks Matteo Renzi to be next PM http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26222179

Euronews, 17/02/2014: Florence mayor in running to become Italy’s youngest ever PM http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/17/florence-mayor-in-running-to-become-italy-s-youngest-ever-pm/

Deutsche Welle, 17/02/2014: Napolitano nominates Renzi prime minister in Italy http://dw.de/p/1BAA9

EurActiv, 18/02/2014: Renzi poised to form Italian government, promises rapid change https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/renzi-poised-to-form-italian-government-promises-rapid-change/

The Local (Italy), 19/02/2014: Renzi takeover is a 'blow to democracy' for Italians https://www.thelocal.it/20140219/italians-see-renzi-takeover-as-a-blow-to-democracy

BBC News, 19/02/2014: Anti-elite activist Grillo lambasts Italy PM-designate Renzi https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26261322

The Local (Italy), 19/02/2014: Grillo declares 'war' as Berlusconi backs Renzi https://www.thelocal.it/20140219/grillo-declares-war-as-berlusconi-backs-renzi

---

Official

European Commission: Statement, 14/02/2014: President Barroso on the situation in Italy https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/STATEMENT_14_8

---