Top 15 Quotes & Sayings by Matteo Renzi

The Italy of my children will be at head of Europe, economically. Because Italy has all the conditions to be the country of the startups, the country of artisans and quality, and the country of the big companies.

Italy remained attached to conservatism. It had a political class that lived in the past and didn't build the future. The past is our strength, but it risks becoming our ruin if we walk with our heads turned backwards.

I think it is absolutely correct to solve the problem of terrorism in Iraq and Syria and Libya.

There is in the DNA of the Italians a bit of madness, which in the overwhelming majority of cases is positive. It is genius. It is talent. It's the masterpieces of art. It's the food, fashion, everything that makes Italy great in the world.

Italy will never be a normal country. Because Italy is Italy. If we were a normal country, we wouldn't have Rome. We wouldn't have Florence. We wouldn't have the marvel that is Venice.

Europe is nervous. Already rattled this year by the shock of the Brexit vote, the European Union needs stability in Italy, a country notorious for its instability.

Italy is the worst country for bureaucracy around the world. And this is very important. If we have a system with a lot of politicians the consequence is 63 government change in 70 years.

Florence for me is not simply a city. Florence is a sentiment. And I think it's impossible to be a politician without sentiment.

The old politician maintain the chair for a lot of decades. So if we will lose the referendum, this is not a problem for me. It's a problem for the new generation of Italians. Because it's a lost opportunity.

We have a system in the hands of bureaucracy. Everything is difficult. Everything is complicated. And my idea is simply give simplicity to Italy.

We will continue to work together to implement the Minsk accord and doing all we can to return to peace with the respect of the integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.

I'm not interested to change about the government. I'm interested to change the conditions for the people. So, yes, I talk a lot. But I think this is the only way for Italy in this moment.

Italy will start the future. Because in the last 20, 20 years, Italy discussed only about the past. "Oh, the past is wonderful in Italy." Look, look Palazzo Vecchio. The most beautiful place in the world, in my opinion, I think this is incredible place. But the past is not sufficient. Is not enough. We need the future. Because we are Italians. And Italy is not only a museum.

It was my mistake in the first days of the electoral campaign. I understand the mistake. I don't accept that people who say, "Oh, politicians have to refuse to admit the mistakes." No. I am an, I am a man. I can make some mistakes.

Italians still know how to enjoy life, even as the country seems stuck in place.