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As Premier Matteo Renzi
delivered a major speech Monday to the Senate, urging support
for his fledgling government via a confidence vote, the Internet
was buzzing with jokes about Italy's youngest-ever premier.
Comparisons were made to the energetic reformer Renzi and
Pope Francis, who has been in his job for less than a year and
already known for making deep reforms to the substance and style
of the Catholic Church.
Others turned to the impersonations of Renzi by comedian
Maurizio Crozza, who dons a big wig and bigger teeth to mock the
telegenic 39-year-old premier.
Some made fun of Renzi's emphasis on youth, including the
many references to his age and the fact that his slimmed-down,
16-member cabinet includes two young women who are just 33.
On Twitter, some mocked Renzi's pledges to pass major
reforms to Italy's dysfunctional electoral law by the end of
February - only four days off.
Some compared Renzi to ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi, who
was elected three times, in part, due to his communication and
marketing skills.
Others complained Renzi was only a "puppet" of senior
established politicians.
But supporters stood up for him, calling his Senate speech
"fantastic".
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