Matteo Renzi

Born on 11 January 1975 in Florence.

Graduated in law from the University of Florence.

Then went on to work for CHIL Srl, a marketing company focusing on leafleting owned by his family, co-ordinating the sales service of La Nazione. During this time, Renzi was also an association football referee at amateur level and a futsal player. 

Renzi's interest in politics began in high school. He was one of the founders of the committee in support of Romano Prodi's candidature as Prime Minister of Italy in the 1996 Italian general election; that same year, Renzi joined the centrist Italian People's Party (PPI), and became its provincial secretary in 1999. In 2001, Renzi joined Francesco Rutelli's Daisy party, composed by members of the disbanded PPI.