Premier Matteo Renzi on Wednesday forecast an active weekend ahead, from cabinet reforms Friday to lobbying at the European Council Saturday for a senior post for Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini. In a Twitter post 'Restart Italy, Goodbye Vacation', Renzi wrote: "Not a bad weekend, justice, Unblock Italy, EU appointment, schools, 1,000 days".
Renzi has called a cabinet meeting for Friday to deal with an array of reform proposals, including plans to untangle the country's bureaucracy and promote growth.
As well, the government will submit a 12-point justice reform package designed to simplify civil law, halving a huge backlog of cases to remove a major block on foreign investment in Italy. These reforms would also restore false accounting to the status of a full-blown crime from the misdemeanour, non-custodial status ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi had reduced it to in order to help address public concern over waves of corruption scandals.
Improving Italy's current electoral law, which has been ruled unconstitutional, is perhaps one the most significant battles that lies ahead for Renzi, who has frequently referred to his "1,000-day" reform program for Italy.
From his cabinet meeting, Renzi will then attend Saturday's meeting of top European Union officials where Renzi will continue to promote Italy's nominee, Mogherini, for the job of EU high commissioner for foreign affairs, replacing incumbent Catherine Ashton.
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