Renzi government

The Renzi government was the 63rd government of the Italian Republic, in office from February 2014 to December 2016. It was led by Matteo Renzi, secretary and leader of the centre-left Democratic Party (PD).[1]

Renzi government

63rd Cabinet of Italy
Date formed22 February 2014 (2014-02-22)
Date dissolved12 December 2016 (2016-12-12) (1,025 days)
People and organisations
Head of stateGiorgio Napolitano
Sergio Mattarella
Head of governmentMatteo Renzi
No. of ministers17 (incl. Prime Minister)
Ministers removed4 resigned
Total no. of members21 (incl. Prime Minister)
Member partiesPD, NCD, UdC, SC
Status in legislatureCentre-left coalition
Opposition partiesM5S, FI, LN, SEL, FdI
History
Legislature term(s)XVII Legislature (2013–2018)
PredecessorLetta government
SuccessorGentiloni government
This article is part of
a series about
Matteo Renzi
  • Political offices
  • Mayor of Florence
  • Secretary of the Democratic Party
  • Prime Minister of Italy
  • Leader of Italia Viva
  • Elections

The government was composed of members of the PD together with the New Centre-Right (NCD), the Union of the Centre (UdC), Civic Choice (SC), the Populars for Italy (PpI, until June 2015), Solidary Democracy (DemoS since July 2014), the Italian Socialist Party (PSI), Democratic Centre (CD, since October 2015) and non-party independents.[2] At its formation, the Renzi government was the youngest government of Italy to date, with an average age of forty-seven,[3] and the youngest-ever Prime Minister.[4] It was also the first Italian government in which the number of female ministers was equal to the number of male ministers, not including the prime minister;[5][6] that later changed, as eventually three female ministers resigned, each replaced by a male minister.

On 19 April 2016, the Senate rejected two motions of no confidence against the government following the "Tempa Rossa scandal"; the first one (entered by the Five Star Movement) was defeated with a 96–183 votes, while the second one (entered by Forza Italia, Northern League and Conservative and Reformists) was defeated with a 93–180 vote.[7]

History
Renzi's government during the oath.

At a meeting on 13 February 2014, following tensions between Prime Minister Enrico Letta and PD Secretary Matteo Renzi, the Democratic Party leadership voted heavily in favour of Renzi's call for "a new government, a new phase and a radical programme of reform". Minutes after the Party backed the Renzi proposal by 136 votes to 16, with two abstentions, Palazzo Chigi – the official residence of the Prime Minister – announced that Letta would travel to the Quirinale the following day to tender his resignation to President Giorgio Napolitano.[8]

In an earlier speech, Renzi had paid tribute to Letta, saying that he was not intended to put him "on trial". But, without directly proposing himself as the next Prime Minister, he said the Eurozone's third-largest economy urgently needed "a new phase" and "radical programme" to push through badly needed reforms. The motion he put forward made clear "the necessity and urgency of opening a new phase with a new executive". Speaking privately to party leaders, Renzi said that Italy was "at a crossroads" and faced either holding fresh elections or a new government without a return to the polls.[9] On 14 February, President Napolitano accepted Letta's resignation from the office of Prime Minister.[10]

Following Letta's resignation, Renzi formally received the task of forming a new government from President Napolitano on 17 February.[11] Renzi held several days of talks with party leaders, all of which he broadcast live on the internet, before unveiling his government on 21 February, which contained members of his Democratic Party, the New Centre-Right, the Union of the Centre and Civic Choice. His government became Italy's youngest government to date, with an average age of 47.[12] It was also the first in which the number of female ministers was equal to the number of male ministers, excluding the Prime Minister.[5][13]

The following day Renzi was formally sworn in as Prime Minister, becoming the youngest Prime Minister in the history of Italy.[14] His rise to become Prime Minister was widely seen as a sign of much-needed generational change, and at the time he took office he enjoyed by far the highest approval rating of any politician in the country.[15]

On 25 February Renzi won a vote of confidence in the Italian Parliament, with 169 votes in the Senate and 378 in the Chamber of Deputies.[16]

On 20 March 2015, Prime Minister Renzi became ad interim Minister of Infrastructure and Transport after the resignation of Maurizio Lupi, due to a corruption scandal involving public works on infrastructure, in which his name was cited several times.[17] Renzi hold the office until 2 April, when Graziano Delrio was appointed as new minister.[18]

Investiture votes
24–25 February 2014
Investiture votes for Renzi Cabinet
House of Parliament Vote Parties Votes
Senate of the Republic[19]
(Voting: 308[lower-alpha 1] of 320,
Majority: 155)		 checkY YesPD (107), NCD (31), PSI-SVP (11), PI (11), SC (8), GAL–UDC (1)
169 / 308
☒N NoFI (58), M5S (49), LN (14), GAL–UDC (10), Others (8)
139 / 308
AbstentionNone
0 / 308
Chamber of Deputies[20]
(Voting: 599[lower-alpha 2] of 629,
Majority: 300)		 checkY YesPD (290), NCD (29), SC (22), DemoS–CD (17), LN (1), Others (19)
378 / 599
☒N NoM5S (98), FI (61), SEL (34), LN (18), FdI (7), Others (2)
220 / 599
AbstentionOthers (1)
1 / 599
  1. Absent (7): FI (2), M5S (1), PI (1), Others (3)
    On institutional leave (4): LN (1), Aut (1), Others (2)
    President (1)
  2. Absent (27): M5S (6), FI (6), CeI (5), PD (3), FdI (2), DemoS–CD (2), LN (1), SI–SEL–P (1), Others (1)
    On institutional leave (3): M5S (2), SI–SEL–P (1)

Party breakdown

Ministers
10
3
1
1
2

Ministers and other members

Ministers
11
3
1
2

Ministers and other members

Geographical breakdown

Beginning of term

Final breakdown

Council of Ministers
Office Name Party Term
Prime Minister Matteo Renzi PD 2014–2016
Minister of Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini PD 2014
Paolo Gentiloni PD 2014–2016
Minister of the Interior Angelino Alfano NCD 2014–2016
Minister of Justice Andrea Orlando PD 2014–2016
Minister of Defence Roberta Pinotti PD 2014–2016
Minister of Economy and Finance Pier Carlo Padoan Ind. 2014–2016
Minister of Economic Development Federica Guidi Ind. 2014–2016
Matteo Renzi (ad interim) PD 2016
Carlo Calenda Ind. 2016
Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Maurizio Lupi NCD 2014–2015
Matteo Renzi (ad interim) PD 2015
Graziano Delrio PD 2015–2016
Minister of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies Maurizio Martina PD 2014–2016
Minister of the Environment Gian Luca Galletti UDC / CpI 2014–2016
Minister of Labour and Social Policies Giuliano Poletti Ind. 2014–2016
Minister of Education, University and Research Stefania Giannini SC / PD 2014–2016
Minister of Culture and Tourism Dario Franceschini PD 2014–2016
Minister of Health Beatrice Lorenzin NCD 2014–2016
Minister of Constitutional Reforms
and Parliamentary Relations		 Maria Elena Boschi PD 2014–2016
Minister of Public Administration Marianna Madia PD 2014–2016
Minister of Regional Affairs Maria Carmela Lanzetta PD 2014–2015
Enrico Costa NCD 2015–2016
Secretary of the Council of Ministers Graziano Delrio PD 2014–2015
Claudio De Vincenti PD 2015–2016

    Composition
    Office Portrait Name Term of office Party
    Prime Minister Matteo Renzi 22 February 2014 – 12 December 2016 Democratic Party
    Undersecretaries
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini 22 February 2014 – 31 October 2014[lower-alpha 1] Democratic Party
    Paolo Gentiloni 31 October 2014 – 12 December 2016 Democratic Party
    Deputy Minister
    Undersecretaries
    Minister of the Interior Angelino Alfano 22 February 2014 – 12 December 2016 New Centre-Right
    Deputy Minister
    Undersecretaries
    • Gianpiero Bocci (PD)
    • Domenico Manzione (Ind.)
    Minister of Justice Andrea Orlando 22 February 2014 – 12 December 2016 Democratic Party
    Undersecretaries
    Minister of Defence Roberta Pinotti 22 February 2014 – 12 December 2016 Democratic Party
    Undersecretaries
    Minister of Economy and Finance Pier Carlo Padoan 22 February 2014 – 12 December 2016 Independent
    Deputy Ministers
    • Luigi Casero (NCD)
    • Enrico Morando (PD)
    • Enrico Zanetti (SC) (since 29 January 2016)
    Undersecretaries
    Minister of Economic Development Federica Guidi 22 February 2014 – 5 April 2016[lower-alpha 4] Independent
    Matteo Renzi
    (Acting)    		 5 April 2016 – 10 May 2016 Democratic Party
    Carlo Calenda 10 May 2016 – 12 December 2016 Independent
    Deputy Ministers
    Undersecretaries
    • Antonello Giacomelli (PD)
    • Simona Vicari (NCD) (until 29 January 2016)
    • Antonio Gentile (NCD) (since 29 January 2016)
    • Ivan Scalfarotto (PD) (since 8 April 2016)
    Minister of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies Maurizio Martina 22 February 2014 – 12 December 2016 Democratic Party
    Deputy Minister
    Undersecretary
    Minister of the Environment Gian Luca Galletti 22 February 2014 – 12 December 2016 Union of the Centre
    Undersecretaries
    Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Maurizio Lupi 22 February 2014 – 20 March 2015[lower-alpha 5] New Centre-Right
    Matteo Renzi
    (Acting)    		 20 March 2015 – 2 April 2015 Democratic Party
    Graziano Delrio 2 April 2015 – 12 December 2016 Democratic Party
    Deputy Minister
    Undersecretaries
    • Umberto Del Basso De Caro (PD)
    • Antonio Gentile (NCD) (until 10 March 2014)
    • Simona Vicari (NCD) (since 29 January 2016)
    Minister of Labour and Social Policies Giuliano Poletti 22 February 2014 – 12 December 2016 Independent
    Undersecretaries
    Minister of Education, University and Research Stefania Giannini 22 February 2014 – 12 December 2016 Democratic Party
    Before 5 February 2015:
    Civic Choice
    Undersecretaries
    • Gabriele Toccafondi (NCD)
    • Angela D'Onghia (Ind.)
    • Roberto Reggi (PD) (until 19 September 2014)
    • Davide Faraone (PD) (since 10 November 2014)
    Minister of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism Dario Franceschini 22 February 2014 – 12 December 2016 Democratic Party
    Undersecretaries
    • Ilaria Borletti Buitoni (PD)
    • Francesca Barracciu (PD) (until 21 October 2015)
    • Dorina Bianchi (NCD) (since 29 January 2016)
    • Antimo Cesaro (SC) (since 29 January 2016)
    Minister of Health Beatrice Lorenzin 22 February 2014 – 12 December 2016 New Centre-Right
    Undersecretary
    Minister for Constitutional Reforms and Parliamentary Relations
    (without portfolio)    		 Maria Elena Boschi 22 February 2014 – 12 December 2016 Democratic Party
    Undersecretaries
    • Sesa Amici (PD)
    • Luciano Pizzetti (PD)
    • Ivan Scalfarotto (PD) (until 8 April 2016)
    Minister of Public Administration
    (without portfolio)    		 Marianna Madia 22 February 2014 – 12 December 2016 Democratic Party
    Undersecretary
    • Angelo Rughetti (PD)
    Minister of Regional Affairs and Autonomies
    (without portfolio)    		 Maria Carmela Lanzetta 22 February 2014 – 26 January 2015[lower-alpha 6] Democratic Party
    Matteo Renzi
    (Acting)    		 26 January 2015 – 29 January 2016 Democratic Party
    Enrico Costa 29 January 2016 – 12 December 2016 New Centre-Right
    Undersecretary
    Secretary of the Council of Ministers
    (Undersecretary to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers)    		 Graziano Delrio 22 February 2014 – 2 April 2015[lower-alpha 7] Democratic Party
    Claudio De Vincenti 10 April 2015 – 12 December 2016 Democratic Party
    1. Mogherini was appointed High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in the Juncker Commission.
    2. Before 4 July 2014: PpI
    3. Before 6 February 2015: SC
    4. Federica Guidi resigned amid allegations that she had sought to shape 2015 budget law to favour an oil project from which her partner, who was inquired, stood to benefit financially.
    5. Lupi resigned following a corruption scandal involving public works on infrastructure, in which his name was cited several times.
    6. Lanzetta accepted the appointment as regional assessor in the cabinet of Mario Oliverio, President of Calabria.
    7. Delrio sworn in as Minister of Infrastructure and Transport

    Chronology

    February 2014

    On 14 February 2014, the Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta, taking note of the approval by a large majority by the Central Committee of the Democratic Party[21] of a proposal by the Democratic Party Secretary Renzi to give life to a new government, tendered his irrevocable resignation[22][23] to the President of the Italian Republic Giorgio Napolitano, who accepted it and gave life immediately to consultations with speakers of the House of Deputies and of the Senate, as well as with delegations of MPs for each political party. The Northern League Party and the Five Star Movement decide not to take part in such consultations.[24]

    On 17 February 2014, the President of the Republic assigned the task of forming a new government to the Secretary of the Democratic Party Matteo Renzi, who reserved the right to accept,[25] also informing the Speakers of both Houses. On 18 February 2014 and 19 February 2014 the Prime Minister held consultations with the parliamentary groups of both Houses of Parliament.[26] On 21 February 2014, Matteo Renzi went to the President of the Republic and communicated his decision to become Prime Minister, presenting a list of 16 Ministers.

    On 22 February 2014, Matteo Renzi and 15 ministers took the oath before the President of the Republic at the Quirinale Palace.[27] After the handover with the former Prime Minister Enrico Letta, Renzi presided over the first government meeting, in which the Ministers without portfolio were assigned their briefs and Graziano Delrio was appointed Under-Secretary of State at the Prime Minister's Office, as well as Cabinet Secretary.

    On 24 February 2014, Prime Minister Renzi presented his Government's program in the Senate and, after almost 11 hours of debate, his government obtained the Senate's vote of confidence, with 169 voting in favor and 139 against. On 25 February 2014, the government also obtained the vote of confidence vote of the House of Deputies, with 378 votes in favour, 220 against and 1 abstention.

    On 28 February 2014, the Italian government appointed forty four under-secretaries, who in the evening took the oath before Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.[28]

    March 2014

    On 3 March 2014, after several days of controversy, the new Under Secretary for Infrastructures and Transports, Antonio Gentile tendered his resignation.

    On 12 March 2014, after two days of voting, the Chamber of Deputies approved in first reading the new electoral law Italicum with 365 votes in favour, 156 against and 40 abstentions. A number of controversies surrounded the failure to introduce preferential votes favouring gender equality.

    On 12 March 2014, the Italian government issued a law- decree on fixed-term contracts, called the Poletti Decree, as well as a Bill proposing a reform on the Italian labor market called "Jobs Act"[29] A reduction in the tax burden of about €80 was announced for those earning less than 1500 Euros per month.

    On 26 March 2014, despite the controversy raised by several parties belonging to the majority coalition, the government won a confidence vote in the Senate on the Delrio Bill reforming the provinces, with 160 voting in favour and 133 against. Subsequently, the Chamber of Deputies approved the Bill on 3 April 2014.

    April 2014

    On 18 April 2014, the Italian government approved a law-decree which provided for the reduction of Income Tax for employees and assimilated workers earning up to €24,000 gross per year. The net monthly salary was foreseen to increase by €80, through a tax credit from the month of May 2014.

    On 30 April 2014, Matteo Renzi, together with the Minister for the Public Administration Marianna Madia, presented the guidelines for the reform of the Public Administration, subsequently approved by the government on 13 June 2014.

    May 2014

    On 6 May 2014, the Constitutional Affairs Committee of the Senate approved the Government's Bill on the reform of the Italian Senate.[30]

    On 21 May 2014, an agreement was signed between the Government, Sardinia Region and the Qatar Foundation to bring €1 billion investment and thousands of jobs to Sardinia.

    On 22 May 2014, the Italian government of Ministers approved the Law-decree on culture for the preservation of the Italian historic, artistic and cultural heritage.

    On 25 May 2014, the Democratic Party, which was the main supporter of the government and was also the party of the Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, won the 2014 European elections with 40.81% of the votes.

    August 2014

    On 1 August 2014, the Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi explained in a press conference the guidelines of Law-decree called "Sblocca Italia" or "Unlock Italy", which, in the intentions of the Government, is to facilitate the implementation of major projects, civil works and infrastructure that are currently suspended, as well as achieve further administrative simplification. A month of public consultations would take place in relation to such guidelines.

    On 8 August 2014, the Italian government approved a law-decree contrasting the phenomenon of lawlessness and violence at sporting events and provided for the international protection of migrants.

    On 8 August 2014, the Senate approved the constitutional reform proposed by the government with 183 votes in favour, and 4 abstentions.[31]

    On 8 August 2014, the two Houses of Parliament approved of the decrees on Competitiveness, Public Administration and Prisons, which become law.

    On 29 August 2014, the Italian government approved the "Unblock Italy" Law-Decree and Justice Reform, dividing it into a Law-Decree for the disposal of the backlog in civil proceedings, and Law-Decrees relating to the fight against organized crime and illegal assets, the civil liability of judges, the efficiency of civil trials, as well as a comprehensive reform of the judiciary and a reform of Book XI of the Italian Code of criminal Procedure.

    September 2014

    On 1 September 2014, the Italian Prime Minister explained in a press conference that the site "passodopopasso.italia.it" would allow citizens to monitor the progress of the government's program.

    On 3 September 2014, the "Millegiorni" website provided guidelines on the reform of the school that will be subject to consultation for two months.

    October 2014

    On 8 October 2014, the Italian Senate approved the so-called Jobs Act, with 165 voting in favour and 111 against. The provision was criticized by the CGIL trade union and the Senators Felice Casson, Corradino Mineo and Lucrezia Ricchiuti , who did not take part in the vote.

    On 8 October 2014, the Italian Prime Minister presented the Italian Finance Bill (or Legge di Stabilità). [32]

    December 2014

    Following approval of the Jobs Act by the Italian Parliament (Delegation Law No. 183 10 December 2014), the Italian government issued on 24 December 2014, the first legislative decree concerning contracts with growing protection. [33]

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    8. "Letta al Quirinale, si è dimesso - Top News". ANSA.it.
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    10. Правительственный кризис в Италии: премьер Летта ушел в отставку (in Russian). RIA Novosti. 14 February 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
    11. "39 Year Old Matteo Renzi becomes, at 39, Youngest Italian Prime Minister". IANS. news.biharprabha.com. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
    12. "Renzi: con 47, 8 anni di media, è il governo più giovane di sempre". Corriere Della Sera. 21 February 2014. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
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    14. "Matteo Renzi sworn in as Italy's new PM in Rome ceremony". BBC. 22 February 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
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    17. Zampano, Giada (19 March 2015). "Italian Infrastructure Minister Maurizio Lupi Will Resign". Wall Street Journal – via www.wsj.com.
    18. "Graziano Delrio ministro delle Infrastrutture, ha giurato al Quirinale". Tgcom24.
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    24. "Salvini, Lega domani non andrà a consultazioni". Lega Nord. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
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