Matteo Renzi wins leadership contest in the Democratic Party

Former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi regained the leadership of the country's Democratic Party (PD) on 30 April 2017 with an overwhelming victory in a primary election among party supporters, securing about 72% of the votes. Around 2 million party members voted in the contest.

Mr Renzi resigned as Prime Minister in December 2016, following the outcome of a referendum on constitutional reforms. Soon after he created the InCammino movement, in an attempt to emulate the French movement with the same designation. He resigned from party leadership in February 2017, triggering the internal election in the Democratic Party.

ESO: Background information: Renzi’s defeat is not another victory of populism [CEPS Commentary, December 2016] http://www.europeansources.info/record/renzis-defeat-is-not-another-victory-of-populism/

BBC News, 30.04.17: Italy ex-PM Matteo Renzi wins Democratic Party election http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39767573

The Local.it, 01.05.17: Matteo Renzi, a reformer ready to seize a second chance https://www.thelocal.it/20170501/matteo-renzi-a-reformer-ready-to-seize-a-second-chance

Deutsche Welle, 30.04.17: Former Italian premier Matteo Renzi re-elected head of ruling PD party http://p.dw.com/p/2cAMx

Euronews, 01.05.17: Renzi resurgence - former Italian PM regains party leadership http://www.euronews.com/2017/05/01/renzi-resurgence-former-italian-pm-regains-party-leadership

Politico, 28.04.17: Matteo Renzi tries the Macron approach http://www.politico.eu/article/matteo-renzi-tries-the-macron-approach/

The Local.it, 28.04.17: The comeback kid: Matteo Renzi hot favourite to lead his party again https://www.thelocal.it/20170428/renzi-looks-set-to-make-a-comeback-as-party-leader

Deutsche Welle, 29.04.17: Italy's Renzi plots political return http://p.dw.com/p/2c5It

EUObserver, 28.04.17: Resurrected Renzi to regain leadership of Italy's ruling party https://euobserver.com/beyond-brussels/137711

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