Obama ‘impressed’ by Letta’s leadership

(ANSA) – Rome, October 17 – US President Barack Obama told visiting Italian Premier Enrico Letta Thursday he had been “impressed” by his leadership of an unprecedented and unruly right-left government. He also praised Letta’s “integrity” in staying firm amid recent intense political pressure.

Letta recently won a key confidence vote to strengthen the government after uneasy ally Silvio Berlusconi, the media magnate and three-time premier, did a last-minute U-turn because of a party rebellion.

The Italian premier has since forged a budget bill to keep Italy’s finances in shape while helping the economy emerge from its longest recession in 20 years.