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Italy’s premier resigns after sacking by own party

By Nicole Winfield
Published February 14, 2014 2:06pm ET
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Italy’s premier resigns after sacking by own party
Democratic Party secretary Matteo Renzi arrives to speak at a party leadership meeting to decide whether to yank support from Letta's fragile coalition government, accusing the premier of failing to make progress on key financial reforms, in Rome Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014. Italian Premier Enrico Letta faces a new challenge to his leadership Thursday as the head of his own party tried to orchestrate a power grab. Renzi, 39, has been critical of Letta since December, when Renzi was voted head of their Democratic Party. If successful, Renzi could be tapped to form a new government. (AP Photo/Roberto Monaldo) ITALY OUT | Roberto Monaldo

ROME (AP) — Premier Enrico Letta drove himself to the Italian president’s palace and resigned Friday after he was sacked by his own party in a back-room mutiny designed to catapult Florence’s young mayor into the helm of Italy’s government.

President Giorgio Napolitano accepted the resignation and immediately scheduled talks with political party leaders Friday and Saturday. After that, he was expected to ask the head of Letta’s Democratic Party, Florence Mayor Matteo Renzi, to try to form a new government.

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