Italy Set To Get 'Tony Blair-Like' New PM

Italy looks set to get its third prime minister in a year - a man who is being called the country's Tony Blair because of his youthful charisma and rise to the political top at the early age of 39.

Mayor of Florence Matteo Renzi is the ambitious leader of the governing centre-left Democratic Party, who looks likely to win the nomination to replace Enrico Letta following his dramatic resignation.

Mr Letta has submitted his resignation to President Giorgio Napolitano after less than a year in power at the head of an uneasy coalition.

The latest political drama in Rome is the result of weeks of feuding between the PM and his rival and the "relay" between the pair is unpopular among Italians, according to opinion polls, with concern that it could strengthen the hand of disgraced former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Analysts said Mr Renzi is now tainted with the image of a cloak-and-dagger politician who engineered Mr Letta's overthrow despite an earlier agreement to allow him to stay on until 2015.

However, they also said he could quickly win support if he manages to push through important reforms. Financial markets are already broadly supportive with stocks and bond rates holding steady.

La Stampa Daily editor Mario Calabresi said the sudden crisis at the top had generated "a sense of incredulity" among Italians as most people had expected early elections to be held.

The paper's politics expert, Giovanni Orsina, said Mr Renzi's rise "might be the only sensible solution possible" as he is "considered by many the only way to get Italy out of the quagmire".

One point in the would-be PM's favour is the ringing endorsement he has won from the Democratic Party which has backed him as future PM.

But he still faces delicate days ahead before he can finally clinch his goal of becoming the EU's youngest prime minister and Italy's youngest-ever government leader.

Deputy PM Angelino Alfano, leader of the New Centre-Right party, a minor coalition partner whose votes are critical, has already said his support for Mr Renzi is not a given.

Despite having been expelled from parliament over a criminal conviction for tax fraud and being a defendant in three other court cases, Silvio Berlusconi could also score political points.

Mr Berlusconi's Forza Italia opposition party has already said he will lead future coalition consultations with the nominee for prime minister - almost certain to be Mr Renzi.

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