Renzi takes charge of Italy with young govt
24 Feb 2014 4:14 AM IST
The 39-year-old Renzi has named a low-profile list of ministers with a mix of politicians and technocrats which included no figures capable of challenging his control of the government. Its success or failure will therefore be seen as his responsibility alone.
With an average age under 48, the 16-member cabinet is one of the smallest and youngest in recent Italian history. Half its members are women, the highest proportion ever, underlining the image of a fresh start on which Renzi has built his reputation.
But he faces a huge challenge with the eurozone's third largest economy struggling to emerge from its worst slump since World War II, weighed down by a 2 trillion euro public debt and an industrial base that has crumbled over the past decade.
Business and union leaders have repeatedly warned that the government must take urgent action to save Italy's ailing industry with tens of thousands of companies going out of business and millions put out of work.
With an average age under 48, the 16-member cabinet is one of the smallest and youngest in recent Italian history. Half its members are women, the highest proportion ever, underlining the image of a fresh start on which Renzi has built his reputation.
But he faces a huge challenge with the eurozone's third largest economy struggling to emerge from its worst slump since World War II, weighed down by a 2 trillion euro public debt and an industrial base that has crumbled over the past decade.
Business and union leaders have repeatedly warned that the government must take urgent action to save Italy's ailing industry with tens of thousands of companies going out of business and millions put out of work.
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