Renzi seeks the White House’s support in his attempt to wake up Italy

Renzi is currently in Washington D.C. and recently gave a speech at Georgetown University in which he stressed the importance of the Italian government’s current effort to implement an ambitious economic reform program. 

Prime Minister Matteo Renzi  during his speech at Georgetown University Photo Courtesy: NIAF Director of Program Gabriella Mileti

Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and President Barack Obama

The prime minister compared the country to Sleeping Beauty, saying that “Italy has been like sleeping beauty in the woods for too long. We are here to wake it up, to give direction for the future”.

In a time of economic uncertainty such as the one Italy is currently experiencing, the blessing of leader of the United States, the “most powerful man on Earth” could go a long way. 

This is especially true given how the various recent reforms have been and are being questioned. And who could be better suited to back up Italy’s desire to change than Obama?

But Renzi is not only looking for support in his internal endeavors. Another type of endorsement that Renzi will be seeking from Obama has to do with obtaining increased international involvement in the UN’s effort to establish stability in Libya, a country with strong ties to Italy given its colonial history. 

According to a statement released by the White House, other international issues will be discussed during their meeting, including what are to be the attitudes adopted by the US and the EU regarding the situations in Ukraine and in the Middle East.