Dean Vali Nasr cordially invites you to a Conversation on Trans-Atlantic Relations, Global Security and the Future of the European Union with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Italy, His Excellency Matteo Renzi.
Matteo Renzi was born in Florence in January 1975. At a very early age he joined the Scout Movement and made his own the Scout motto of “leaving this world a little better than you found it” (in Baden Powell’s words).
During his university years he became interested in politics, campaigning in support of Romano Prodi, later to become Italy’s Prime Minister and President of the European Commission. He combined studying with work in his family business. In 1999 he obtained a law degree (JD) from Florence University and in the same year he got married to Agnese Landini.
In 2004 Matteo Renzi was elected President of the Florence Provincial Council. In 2008 he announced his intention to run for Mayor the city of Florence.
In June 2009 he was elected Mayor. For the first time in Florence the number of city councilors was halved, appointing an equal number of male and female councilors.
From 2010 to 2012 his involvement in national politics increased. In 2013 Renzi ran for the leadership of the Democratic Party: on 8 December he was appointed Secretary of the PD with 67.5% of preferences.
On 22 February 2014 Matteo Renzi was appointed as the new President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic. He is the youngest in Italy’s history.
At the European Elections in May 2014 the PD obtained 40.8% of votes, the best result since the Party was established and the largest amount of votes collected by a European party (over 11 million).
Speakers
