Former Italian PM Renzi regains party leadership with big primary win

Former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has regained the leadership of the governing Democratic Party (PD). Mr Renzi, 42, won more than 70 per cent of the vote in yesterday's primary among party supporters, leaving two other contenders far behind. 

The victory propels him back to the forefront of national politics. Mr Renzi resigned as Prime Minister and party leader after his constitutional reform plan was



rejected in a national referendum in December. Mr Renzi saw off a challenge see off from Justice Minister Andrea Orlando and regional governor Michele Emiliano. 

About two million people voted. Mr Renzi will now be preparing his centre-left PD for parliamentary elections, which are due in May next year. Recent opinion polls show the party has slipped behind the anti-establishment Five Star Movement.