Renzi formally accepts Italy PM job, forms cabinet

PanARMENIAN.Net - Matteo Renzi formally accepted the role of Italian Prime Minister Friday, Feb 21 kicking off hopes for a revival in the eurozone's third-largest economy and a fresh approach to the country's ills, Agence France-Presse reported.

"I am aware of the responsibility, delicacy and extraordinary honour which comes from creating a government capable of bringing hope," the former mayor of Florence told journalists after nearly three hours of talks with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano.

"I will do everything possible to deserve the trust of deputies, senators and millions of Italians who are waiting for this government to provide concrete answers," he said.

The 39-year-old has became Italy's youngest-ever Prime Minister at the head of a coalition government, after helping engineering the downfall of his predecessor Enrico Letta, blamed for failing to carry out promised reforms.

Renzi unveiled his new 16-strong cabinet, which will be sworn in on Saturday, before the government goes to a vote in parliament next week.

Half of the new ministers are women, and -- with an average age of 47.8 years -- it is the youngest government in Italy's history, according to the Corriere della Sera daily.

The key post of finance minister has gone to Pier Carlo Padoan, the chief economist at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

The interior ministry remains in the hands of Angelino Alfano, the head of the New Centre Right (NCR) party -- Renzi's coalition partner -- while the post of foreign minister has gone to Federica Mogherini, a specialist on European relations.

The announcement came after a day tense with last-minute haggling over key posts, with the new Prime Minister reluctant to keep a team that worked with Letta.

"Renzi's imprint emerges clearly from the many new names called to take on the role of minister for the first time," Napolitano said.