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Italian premier quitting after losing key support

By Frances D'emilio
Published February 13, 2014 10:03pm ET
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Italian premier quitting after losing key support
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) — Abandoned by an ambitious party rival, Italian Premier Enrico Letta announced Thursday he is resigning after losing essential support for his battered, 10-month-old coalition government.

Hours earlier, Matteo Renzi, the 39-year-old leader of Letta’s Democratic Party, rallied party executives to an overwhelming vote for a change of command in the premier’s office. The Florence mayor is a fast-rising star in Italy’s political firmament and has been maneuvering for months to become an unusually young premier.

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