Italy’s new PM backs Israel, sees Iran as major threat
Matteo Renzi is Italy’s youngest-ever premier, and he could also be one of the most pro-Israeli. The 39-year-old ambitious leader of the center-left, who was sworn in on Saturday as Italy’s fourth prime minister in four years, may bring Rome, already one of Israel’s key allies in Europe, even closer to the Jewish state. The former mayor of Florence burst onto the national stage in December by winning the primary election of the Democratic Party, the largest force in parliament, and earlier this month used his new position to oust the 10-month-old coalition government of fellow democrat Enrico Letta. His popularity is mostly linked to a reputation as a no-nonsense city administrator and a pledge to jump-start Italy’s sluggish economy by creating jobs and cutting taxes. But the outspoken and fresh-faced Italian politician has also touched on foreign policy matters during his campaign