Enrico Letta

Letta was born in Pisa, Tuscany, to Giorgio Letta, an Abruzzo-born professor of mathematics who taught probability theory at the University of Pisa, member of the Lincean Academy and of the National Academy of the Sciences, and Anna Banchi, born in Sassari and raised in Porto Torres of Tuscan and Sardinian origins.{{cite news|last=Motta|first=Nino|title=Un Letta per ogni stagione|newspaper=Il Centro|date=2 February 2013}} Born into a numerous family, uncles on his father's side include the centre-right politician Gianni Letta, a close advisor of Silvio Berlusconi, and the archaeologist Cesare Letta, while one of his paternal aunts, Maria Teresa Letta, served as vice president of the Italian Red Cross; a maternal great-uncle is the poet and playwright Gian Paolo Bazzoni.{{cite news|title=Gli zii di Enrico Letta. Non solo Gianni: c'è anche Gian Paolo Bazzoni a Porto Torres|url=http://www.sardiniapost.it/politica/gli-zii-di-enrico-letta-non-solo-gianni-ce-anche-gian-paolo-bazzoni-a-porto-torres/|access-date=2 June 2013|newspaper=Sardinia Post|date=25 April 2013}}

After spending part of his childhood in Strasbourg,{{cite news|first=Nicole|last=Winfield|title=Enrico Letta Appointed Italian Prime Minister, Asked To Form Government|date=24 April 2013|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/24/enrico-letta-appointed-italian-prime-minister_n_3145922.html|work=The Huffington Post|access-date=4 May 2013}} Letta completed his schooling in Italy at the liceo classico Galileo Galilei in Pisa.{{cite web |last=Letta |first=Enrico |title=Curriculum Vitae |url=http://www.governo.it/Presidente/Biografia/cv_Letta_20_maggio_2013.pdf |access-date=3 June 2013|year=2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611224516/http://www.governo.it/Presidente/Biografia/cv_Letta_20_maggio_2013.pdf |archive-date=11 June 2013}} He has a degree in political science, which he received from the University of Pisa and subsequently obtained a PhD at the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, a Graduate School with university status.{{cite news|title=Enrico Letta: la bio del giovane dalla grande esperienza|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.it/2013/04/24/enrico-letta-la-bio-del-giovane-dalla-grande-esperienza_n_3145094.html|access-date=3 June 2013|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=24 August 2013|language=it}}{{#tag:ref|It is not altogether clear whether the Doctorate degree was obtained in international law in 1997 as reported in his curriculum vitae, or in political science in 1999 as reported by ANSA.{{cite news|title=Su esecutivo marchio scuola Sant'Anna: Pisa Letta si e' specializzato, Carrozza e' stato rettore|url=http://www.ansa.it/web/notizie/rubriche/politica/2013/04/27/esecutivo-marchio-scuola-Sant-Anna-Pisa-_8621591.html|access-date=11 June 2013|date=27 April 2013|agency=ANSA|language=it}} |group= n}}

From 2001 to 2003, Letta was professor at the University Carlo Cattaneo near Varese, and then he taught at the Sant'Anna School in Pisa in 2003 and at the HEC Paris in 2004.[https://web.archive.org/web/20131004215330/http://www.giornale.sm/governo-enrico-letta-lallievo-di-andreatta-diventa-presidente-del-consiglio-51061/#.UhszfD9NuuI Governo. Enrico Letta, l’allievo di Andreatta diventa presidente del Consiglio], Il Giornale

File:Enrico Letta 2001.jpg

{{Enrico Letta sidebar}}

Letta, a Catholic,{{Cite news|url=https://st.ilsole24ore.com/art/notizie/2013-04-24/quel-giovane-cattolico-moderato-144222.shtml?uuid=AbNrN9pH&refresh_ce=1|title=Chi è Enrico Letta? Quel giovane cattolico moderato, con agganci in tutto il Transatlantico. Nipote di Gianni. E fan di Mandela|date=24 April 2013|author=Enrico Marro|accessdate=6 December 2022|language=it|newspaper=Il Sole-24 Ore|location=Milan}} began his political career in the Christian Democracy (DC),{{cite news|title=Profile: Enrico Letta|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22285883|work=BBC News|date=24 April 2013 |access-date=3 June 2013}} the dominant centrist and Roman Catholic party, which ruled Italy for almost fifty years. From 1991 to 1995, Letta was president of the Youth of the European People's Party, the official youth wing of the European People's Party, a European political party founded by national-level Christian democratic parties, including the Italian DC; he used his presidency to help strengthen long-term connections among a variety of centrist parties in Europe, and has since remained a convinced supporter of the European Union and European integration.{{cite news|last=Povoledo|first=Elisabetta|title=An Italian Leader and a Political Acrobat|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/29/world/europe/italian-prime-ministers-political-acrobatics.html|access-date=3 June 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|date=28 April 2013}}

During the Ciampi Cabinet headed by Carlo Azeglio Ciampi in 1993 and 1994, Letta worked as chief of staff for the minister of foreign affairs, Beniamino Andreatta; Andreatta, a left-leaning Christian Democrat economist with whom Letta had already been collaborating in a think tank known as Agenzia di Ricerche e Legislazione (AREL), played a highly influential role in Letta's political career.

Following the collapse of the DC in 1994, Letta joined its immediate successor, the Italian People's Party (PPI); after serving as secretary general of the Euro Committee within the Ministry of Treasury from 1996 to 1997, he became deputy secretary of the party in 1997 and 1998, when it was fully allied with the centre-left. In 1998, after the fall of Romano Prodi's first government, Letta was appointed Minister for the Community Policies in cabinet of Massimo D'Alema at the age of 32, becoming the youngest cabinet minister in post-war Italy.

In 1999, Letta became Minister of Industry, Commerce and Crafts in the second government of D'Alema; a position that he held until 2001, serving also in the cabinet of Giuliano Amato.[https://web.archive.org/web/20140220161743/http://argomenti.ilsole24ore.com/enrico-letta.html Enrico Letta], Il Sole 24 Ore During Amato's government he held the role of Minister of Foreign Trade too.[https://www.parlamento.it/leg/13/BGT/Schede/Statistiche/Iniziativa/ElencoDDLPerGoverno_26_17_.html DDL presentati dal Ministero del commercio con l'estero (Governo Amato-II)], Parlamento

In the 2001 Italian general election, Letta was elected to the Chamber of Deputies as a member of Democracy is Freedom – The Daisy, a newly formed centrist formation to which the Italian People's Party had joined.{{cite news|last=Sachelli|first=Orlando|title=Enrico Letta, il giovane Dc che deve far da paciere tra Pd e Pdl|url=http://www.ilgiornale.it/news/interni/enrico-letta-giovane-dc-che-deve-fare-paciere-pd-e-pdl-911253.html|access-date=7 June 2013|newspaper=Il Giornale|date=24 April 2013|language=it}}{{cite web |url=http://www.liberoquotidiano.it/news/personaggi/1230362/Pisano--milanista--baby-ministro--Ecco-chi-e-Enrico-Letta--l-eterno--giovane--del-Pd.html |title=Pisano, milanista, baby-ministro. Ecco chi è Enrico Letta, l'eterno "giovane" del Pd |author=|language=it|date=24 April 2013|newspaper=Libero}} In the following year, he was appointed national responsible for the economic policies of The Daisy.[https://biografieonline.it/biografia-enrico-letta Enrico Letta], Biografie Online

In 2004, Letta was elected member of the European Parliament, with nearly 179,000 votes, within The Olive Tree list,[https://elezionistorico.interno.gov.it/candidati.php?tpel=E&dtel=12/06/2004&tpa=Y&tpe=I&lev0=0&levsut0=0&lev1=2&levsut1=1&ne1=2&es0=S&es1=N&ms=S&ne=2&nlg=2&ts=C&ccp=2722 Elezioni Europee del 2004. Circoscrizione Italia Nord-Orientale], Dipartimento per gli Affari Interni joining the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) group. As MEP he became a member of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs.{{cite web|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/28413/ENRICO_LETTA_home.html;jsessionid=49148AE893CAFACF3A7051A6F0DE5844.node2|title=European Parliament Website|publisher=European Parliament|access-date=7 May 2013}} Letta served also in the committee for relations with the Maghreb countries and the Arab Maghreb Union.[https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/home Members of the European Parliament], European Parliament

In 2006, Letta was re-elected to the Chamber of Deputies and was appointed Secretary of the Council of Ministers in the second government of Romano Prodi, thereby succeeding his uncle Gianni Letta who had held the same position in the outgoing cabinet of Silvio Berlusconi. In this post, he became the closest advisor of Prime Minister Prodi, becoming one of the most influential politicians within the government. However, Prodi's government fell after only two years following tensions within its majority caused by the resignation of the Minister of Justice, Clemente Mastella.[https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=awYfD8PBmD4A&refer=home "Mastella to Drop Support for Prodi, Favors Elections"], Bloomberg, 21 January 2008.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7201536.stm "Italy PM in cabinet crisis talks"], BBC News, 21 January 2008. Following the 2008 Italian general election, which saw a victory of the centre-right, Letta returned the post to his uncle, when the Berlusconi IV Cabinet was sworn in.{{cite news|last=Dinmore|first=Guy|title=Italy's Enrico Letta a party loyalist and bridge-builder|newspaper=Financial Times|date=24 April 2013}}

{{main|2007 Democratic Party (Italy) leadership election}}

In 2007, together with other The Daisy's members, Letta joined the Democratic Party (PD), the new centre-left party, born from the union between The Daisy and the Democrats of the Left.{{Cite book |first=Bruno |last=Vespa |title=Il Cuore e la Spada: Storia politica e romantica dell'Italia unita, 1861–2011 |publisher=Mondadori |year=2010 |page=650 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YpRt-k0VDEEC&pg=PA650|isbn=9788852017285 }}{{citation|first=Giuliano |last=Augusto |title=De profundis per il Pd |newspaper=Rinascita |date=8 December 2013 |url=http://www.rinascita.eu/index.php?action=news&id=22749 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301073618/http://www.rinascita.eu/index.php?action=news&id=22749 |archivedate=1 March 2014 |df=dmy }} Having been a founding member of the party, Letta run in the first leadership election, which was held as an open primary. He announced his candidacy in July 2007 through a YouTube video.[https://www.corriere.it/Primo_Piano/Politica/2007/07_Luglio/24/letta_candidatura_web.shtml Pd: Letta: «Mi candido». Video sul web], Corriere della Sera A few weeks after the announcement, he compared the PD to Wikipedia, stating: "As in Wikipedia, even in the PD each of the hundreds of thousands of members must bring their own contributions, their own skills, which in certain fields are certainly more important than mine and those of the other leaders of the centre-left."[https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2013/08/01/letta-leader-senza-grinta/673386/ Letta leader? Senza grinta], Il Fatto Quotidiano In support of his candidacy, Letta founded the 360 Association, a centrist and Christian leftist group, mainly composed by former members of The Daisy.{{Cite web |url=http://www.associazione360.it/sezioni/chi_siamo |title=Associazione 360 |access-date=2008-07-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080620041256/http://www.associazione360.it/sezioni/chi_siamo |archive-date=2008-06-20 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.360mag.it/noi/ |title=Noi |publisher=Associazione Trecento Sessanta |access-date=10 March 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100314080028/http://www.360mag.it/noi/ |archive-date=14 March 2010}}

Letta's candidacy was supported by prominent members of the Italian centre-left, like Francesco Cossiga, Paolo De Castro, Gianni Pittella, Vito De Filippo and many other former members of The Daisy.[http://www.enricoletta.it/j/x/21?s=388&v=2&c=105 De Castro: "Candidatura di Letta grande occasione per coinvolgere la società] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927134205/http://www.enricoletta.it/j/x/21?s=388&v=2&c=105 |date=27 September 2007 }}, Enrico Letta Moreover, Letta's faction was composed by politicians considered close to Prime Minister Romano Prodi, a Christian leftist professor and founding father of the Italian centre-left.{{Cite web |url=http://www.democraticiperletta.info/ |title=DemocraticiPerLetta.info – Home |access-date=2008-07-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006151104/http://www.democraticiperletta.info/ |archive-date=2008-10-06 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.cantieredemocratico.it/news.asp?id=129&mese=7&anno=2007 |title=cantieredemocratico.it – - Notizie: Pd: per Veltroni tre liste nazionali |access-date=2008-07-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107022250/http://www.cantieredemocratico.it/news.asp?id=129&mese=7&anno=2007 |archive-date=2009-01-07 |url-status=dead }} However, Letta had to face the politician who, more than any other, had worked to the formation of the Democratic Party and who was unanimously considered the future leader of the centre-left, Walter Veltroni, the incumbent Mayor of Rome.{{cite web|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gaub7_mP1t527m-tOD5bPJ-qogCgD8S99F100|publisher=Associated Press|title=Rome Mayor Set to Win Left's Leadership|access-date=2007-10-15|date=14 October 2007}}{{Dead link|date=March 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In the primary election, Veltroni won by a landslide with 75.8% of votes, followed by the former Minister of Health Rosy Bindi with 12.9% and Letta with 11.0%.{{cite news |url=http://www.repubblica.it/2007/10/sezioni/politica/partito-democratico-12/veltroni-segretario/veltroni-segretario.html |title=Veltroni stravince con il 76% ma è la festa dei cittadini elettori|language=it|newspaper=la Repubblica|date=14 October 2007}}

After the primary election, Veltroni appointed Letta as the national responsible for labour. In May 2008, after the defeat in the 2008 election, Letta was appointed Shadow Minister of Labour and Social Policies in the second and last Shadow Cabinet formed in Italy.[http://www.partitodemocratico.it/gw/producer/dettaglio.aspx?ID_DOC=49641 Partito Democratico] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430234712/http://www.partitodemocratico.it/gw/producer/dettaglio.aspx?ID_DOC=49641 |date=2008-04-30 }}

File:Enrico Letta - veDrò 2012 (cropped).jpg in 2012]]

During the leadership election of 2009, Letta supported the eventual winner, the social-democrat Pier Luigi Bersani, being appointed Deputy Secretary by the party's national convention.{{cite news|url=http://qn.quotidiano.net//politica/2009/11/07/258030-iniziata_bersani.shtml|title=Pd, Bersani indica la rotta "Noi, partito dell'alternativa"|newspaper=Quotidiano.net|language=it|date=9 September 2009|access-date=26 April 2013}}

In June 2010, Letta organized a three-day meeting in Verona, during which he met, within its association, entrepreneurs and key leaders of Lega Nord, the largest party in Veneto and eastern Lombardy.{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/giugno/05/sale_Nord_dialoga_con_Maroni_co_9_100605027.shtml |title=Il Pd "sale" al Nord. E dialoga con Maroni |publisher=Archiviostorico.corriere.it |access-date=2014-07-17}}{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/giugno/12/Letta_accoglie_Maroni_Con_Lega_co_8_100612030.shtml |title=Letta accoglie Maroni "Con la Lega si deve parlare" |publisher=Archiviostorico.corriere.it |access-date=2014-07-17}} An opinion poll among northern Democrats, released during the "Nord Camp", showed that they were keener on an alliance with Lega Nord than Berlusconi's The People of Freedom.{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/giugno/11/elettore_del_Nord_Pdl_Meglio_co_8_100611019.shtml |title=L' elettore del Nord: il Pdl? Meglio allearsi con la Lega |publisher=Archiviostorico.corriere.it |access-date=2014-07-17}} Letta was praised both by Roberto Maroni and Umberto Bossi.{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/giugno/13/Bossi_loda_Letta_giusto_dialogo_co_8_100613011.shtml |title=Bossi loda Letta: giusto il dialogo sa che con noi si vince alle urne |publisher=Archiviostorico.corriere.it |access-date=2014-07-17}}

In the 2013 Italian general election, the centre-left alliance Italy Common Good led by Bersani won a clear majority of seats in the Chamber of Deputies, thanks to a majority bonus that has effectively trebled the number of seats assigned to the winning party, while in the popular vote, it narrowly defeated the centre-right alliance of former prime minister Berlusconi. Close behind, the new anti-establishment Five Star Movement of comedian Beppe Grillo became the third-strongest force, clearly ahead of the centrist coalition of outgoing Prime Minister Mario Monti. In the Senate, no political group or party won an outright majority, resulting in a hung parliament.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/feb/25/italian-election-results-live-coverage|title=Italian election results: gridlock likely – as it happened|date=26 February 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=27 February 2013}}{{cite news|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21586340|title= Italy struggles with 'nightmare' election result|date=26 February 2013|newspaper=BBC News|access-date=27 February 2013 }}

On 20 April 2013, when Bersani resigned as Secretary after the candidates for President of the Republic Franco Marini and Romano Prodi were defeated in the presidential election, the whole leadership of the PD, including Deputy Secretary Letta, resigned their positions.

{{Main article|Letta Cabinet}}

Following five inconclusive ballots for the 2013 Italian presidential election, incumbent president Giorgio Napolitano accepted to be re-elected at the Quirinal Palace.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22232305|work=BBC News|date=20 April 2013|access-date=20 April 2013|title=Italy crisis: President Giorgio Napolitano re-elected}} Eventually, Napolitano reluctantly agreed to serve for another term in order to safeguard the continuity of the country's institutions.{{cite news|last=Mackenzie|first=James|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-vote-napolitano-idUSBRE93J09020130420|title=Giorgio Napolitano, Italy's reluctant president|publisher=Bloomberg L.P.|date=20 April 2013|access-date=21 April 2013}}{{cite news|title=Napolitano si racconta a Scalfari: 'La mia vita, da comunista a Presidente'|url=http://video.repubblica.it/dossier/repubblica-delle-idee-2013/napolitano-si-racconta-a-scalfari-la-mia-vita-da-comunista-a-presidente/131005/129510|access-date=9 June 2013|newspaper=La Repubblica|date=9 June 2013|author=Napolitano, Giorgio|author2=Scalfari, Eugenio|language=it|format=Video, at 59 min|author2-link=Eugenio Scalfari}} Napolitano was easily re-elected on 20 April 2013, receiving 738 of the 1007 possible votes, and was sworn in on 22 April 2013 after a speech when he asked for constitutional and electoral reforms.The critical findings on electoral law echoed in the words that the head of state gave 22 April 2013 before the Electoral College that had re-elected him for a second term: {{cite journal|last1=Buonomo|first1=Giampiero|title=Porcellum, premio di maggioranza a rischio|journal=Golem Informazione|date=2013|url=https://www.questia.com/projects#!/project/89409093|access-date=11 March 2021|archive-date=11 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211140818/https://www.questia.com/projects#!/project/89409093|url-status=dead}}

File:Letta Napolitano.jpg in Rome, 2013]]

After his re-election, Napolitano immediately began consultations with the chairmen of the Chamber of Deputies, Senate and political forces, after the failure of the previous attempt with Bersani, and the establishment of a panel of experts by the President himself (dubbed as wise men by the press), in order to outline priorities and formulate an agenda to deal with the persistent economic hardship and growing unemployment. On 24 April 2013, Enrico Letta was invited to form a government by President Napolitano, following weeks of political deadlock.{{cite news|last=Frye|first=Andrew |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-24/letta-named-italian-prime-minister-as-political-impasse-ends.html|title=Letta Named Italian Prime Minister as Impasse Ends|newspaper=Bloomberg|date=24 April 2013|access-date=26 April 2013}}

On 27 April, Letta formally accepted the task of leading a grand coalition government, with support from the centre-left Democratic Party, the centre-right People of Freedom (PdL) of Silvio Berlusconi and the centrist Civic Choice of outgoing PM Mario Monti. The government he formed became the first in the history of the Italian Republic to include representatives of all the major coalitions that had run in the latest election. His close relationship with his uncle, Gianni Letta, one of Berlusconi's most trusted advisors, was perceived as a way of overcoming the bitter hostility between the two opposing factions.{{cite news|title=Bridge-builder Enrico Letta seals Silvio Berlusconi deal|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/bridge-builder-enrico-letta-seals-silvio-berlusconi-deal/story-e6frg6so-1226631135214|access-date=8 June 2013|newspaper=The Australian|date=29 April 2013}} Letta appointed Angelino Alfano, secretary of the People of Freedom, as his Deputy Prime Minister. The new government was formally sworn-in as on 28 April.[https://www.corriere.it/politica/13_aprile_27/enrico-letta-dopo-braccio-ferro-governo_bcf59786-af46-11e2-a5a6-3fc36303fbd5.shtml Nasce il governo Letta, ora la fiducia. Il premier: «Sobria soddisfazione»], Corriere della Sera During the swearing ceremony, a man fired gunshots outside Chigi Palace and wounded two Carabinieri.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22327445|title=New Italian 'grand coalition' government sworn in|date=28 April 2013|work=BBC News|access-date=28 April 2013}} The attacker, Luigi Preiti, was stopped and arrested; he declared that he wanted to kill politicians or at least to hit a "symbol of politics" and that he was forced by despair being unemployed and recently divorced.[https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2013/04/28/sparatoria-davanti-a-palazzo-chigi-durante-giuramento-del-governo/577150/ Sparatoria Palazzo Chigi: due carabinieri feriti. L’attentatore: "Puntavo ai politici"], Il Fatto Quotidiano

On 29 April, Letta's government won the confidence vote in the Chamber with 453 votes in favour, 152 against and 17 abstentions.[https://www.corriere.it/politica/13_aprile_29/governo-letta-fiducia_e6cb8618-b0c9-11e2-b358-bbf7f1303dce.shtml Letta: «Abbiamo un'ultima possibilità. Basta debiti scaricati sulle future generazioni»], Corriere della Sera On the following day, he won the confidence vote in Senate too, with 233 votes in favour, 59 against 18 abstentions.[https://www.corriere.it/politica/13_aprile_30/governo-letta-fiducia-senato_79cd849c-b161-11e2-9053-334578a33cff.shtml Governo Letta, fiducia anche al Senato], Corriere della Sera In his first speech in front of the Parliament, Letta stressed "necessity to restore decency, sobriety and a sense of honour"; he also advocated for a reduction of politics' costs.[https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2013/04/29/governo-letta-fiducia-alla-camera-453-si-153-no-si-astiene-lega/578779/ Governo Letta, fiducia alla Camera: 453 sì, 153 no. Si astiene la Lega], Il Fatto Quotidiano

File:Enrico Letta - Festival Economia 2013.JPG

During his premiership, Letta had to face a serious socio-economic crisis caused by the Great Recession and the subsequent European debt crisis. In 2013, one of the major problems of the country was the huge youth unemployment, which was valued around 40%.[https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2014/02/13/disoccupazione-giovanile-bce-nel-2013-in-italia-e-arrivata-vicina-al-40/879523/ Disoccupazione giovanile, Bce: "Nel 2013 in Italia è arrivata vicina al 40%"], Il Fatto Quotidiano To face this issue, on 14 June 2013, Letta scheduled a summit at Chigi Palace with the ministers of the economy, finance and labour of Italy, Germany, France and Spain, to agree on common EU policies for reducing unemployment. After a few weeks, during a press conference at the conclusion of the Council of the European Union in Brussels, Letta announced that Italy would receive 1.5 billion euros in EU funds to fight youth unemployment.

On 31 May, the Council of Ministers resolved to sponsor a bill to abolish party subsidies, which was widely considered a revolution in Italian politics and political parties, which heavily depended on public funds. On 4 June, Letta, within his Minister of Economic Development, Flavio Zanonato and his Minister of the Environment, Andrea Orlando, announced the receivership of Ilva, one of the largest steel makers in Europe, for a duration of 36 months, appointing Enrico Bondi as receiver.[https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2013/06/04/ilva-bozza-decreto-enrico-bondi-commissario-36-mesi/615478/ Ilva, firmato il decreto: Enrico Bondi commissario per 36 mesi], Il Fatto Quotidiano

On 15 June, the government approved the so-called "Action Decree" on hiring policies enabling economic recovery.[http://www.europaquotidiano.it/2013/06/16/il-decreto-del-fare-misura-per-misura/ Il Decreto del fare, misura per misura – Europa Quotidiano] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619033023/http://www.europaquotidiano.it/2013/06/16/il-decreto-del-fare-misura-per-misura/ |date=19 June 2013 }}. Europaquotidiano.it (16 June 2013). Retrieved on 24 August 2013. The decree was later approved by the Parliament between July and August 2013 with a confidence vote. The reform was harshly criticized by the anti-establishment Five Star Movement.[https://www.corriere.it/politica/13_luglio_26/decreto-fare-ostruzionismo-5-stelle_50c78008-f5b2-11e2-8279-238a68ccdabf.shtml La Camera approva il «decreto del fare»], Corriere della Sera On 29 August, the government abolished IMU, the Italian tax on real estate introduced by the technocratic government of Mario Monti, for primary homes and for farm buildings .[https://www.ediltecnico.it/21368/abolizione-imu-2013-ecco-cosa-cambia-per-prima-casa-edilizia-e-terreni-agricoli/ Abolizione IMU 2013, ecco cosa cambia per "prima casa", edilizia e terreni agricoli], EdilTecnico

{{See also|Operation Mare Nostrum}}

As a result of the Libyan and Syrian Civil Wars, a major problem faced by Letta upon becoming prime minister in 2013 was the high levels of illegal immigration to Italy.[https://www.rainews.it/dl/rainews/media/ContentItem-3735797e-1721-4e68-9912-2b68f732c6de.html Letta da Malta: " Orgoglio per l'operazione Mare Nostrum"], Rai News

On 3 October 2013, a boat carrying migrants from Libya to Italy sank off the Italian island of Lampedusa. It was reported that the boat had sailed from Misrata, Libya, but that many of the migrants were originally from Eritrea, Somalia and Ghana.{{cite news|title=Scores of Migrants Dead After Boat Sinks Off Sicily|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/04/world/europe/scores-die-in-shipwreck-off-sicily.html?_r=0|access-date=3 October 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|date=3 October 2013|first=Gaia|last=Pianigiani|location=Siracusa}}{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/10/04/witness-boat-migrants-used-bottles-to-stay-afloat/2922215/|title=Witness: Boat migrants used bottles to stay afloat|date=4 October 2013|work=USA Today|access-date=4 October 2013}} An emergency response involving the Italian Coast Guard resulted in the rescue of 155 survivors.{{Cite web|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24380247|title=Dozens of migrants die in Italy boat sinking near Lampedusa|work=BBC News|date=3 October 2013|access-date=3 October 2013}} On 12 October it was reported that the confirmed death toll after searching the boat was 359, but that further bodies were still missing;{{cite web|title=Mediterranean 'a cemetery' – Maltese PM Muscat|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24502279|date=12 October 2013|publisher=BBC News|access-date=12 October 2013}} a figure of "more than 360" deaths was later reported, becoming the deadliest shipwreck occurred in the Mediterranean Sea.{{cite web|title=Lampedusa boat tragedy: Migrants 'raped and tortured'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24866338|date=8 November 2013|publisher=BBC News|access-date=8 November 2013}}

After the Lampedusa tragedy, Prime Minister Letta decided to strengthen the national patrolling of Sicilian channel by authorizing Operation Mare Nostrum, a military and humanitarian operation whose purpose was to patrol the maritime border and provide relief to migrants. This operation had two main purposes: to safeguard life at sea and to combat the illegal smuggling of migrants.{{cite web | url =http://www.marina.difesa.it/EN/operations/Pagine/MareNostrum.aspx|title=Mare Nostrum Operation|publisher=Ministry of Defence of Italy| access-date =16 April 2015}} The operation brought at least 150,000 migrants to Europe, mainly from Africa and the Middle East.{{cite web| url =https://www.iom.int/cms/en/sites/iom/home/news-and-views/press-briefing-notes/pbn-2014b/pbn-listing/iom-applauds-italys-life-saving.html| title =IOM Applauds Italy's Life-Saving Mare Nostrum Operation: "Not a Migrant Pull Factor"| publisher =International Organization for Migration| date =31 October 2014| access-date =16 April 2015| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20150416233445/https://www.iom.int/cms/en/sites/iom/home/news-and-views/press-briefing-notes/pbn-2014b/pbn-listing/iom-applauds-italys-life-saving.html| archive-date =16 April 2015| url-status =dead}} The operation ended a few months after the end of his premiership, on 31 October 2014.{{cite web | url =https://news.yahoo.com/italy-confirms-end-boat-migrant-rescue-op-mare-142437512.html|title=Italy ignores pleas, ends boat migrant rescue operation|publisher=Yahoo! News| author=Ella Ide|date=31 October 2014| access-date =16 April 2015}}

File:Enrico Letta and Barack Obama in the Oval Office, Oct. 17, 2013 (cropped).jpg in the Oval Office]]

A strong pro-Europeanist politician, Letta built up close relations with other prominent European leaders like Angela Merkel, who was the first foreign leader he met, just a few days after his sworn in, on 30 April.[https://www.corriere.it/politica/13_aprile_30/letta-merkel-incontro-ue-crescita_337631dc-b1b7-11e2-9053-334578a33cff.shtml Letta, tour in Europa: vertice con Merkel. La cancelliera: «Italia sulla buona strada»], Il Fatto Quotidiano Letta also built a warm relationship with the French President François Hollande, with whom he shared a common view on austerity policies, considered outdated to face the economic crisis; Letta and Hollande often stressed the necessity to increase the public expenditures in investments.[https://www.corriere.it/esteri/13_maggio_01/letta-hollande-montefiori_12b8b760-b281-11e2-876c-e00ef3e168b7.shtml Ue, asse Letta-Hollande per la crescita], Corriere della Sera

On 17 and 18 June, Letta participated in his first G8 summit at Lough Erne in Northern Ireland.[http://qn.quotidiano.net/esteri/2013/06/17/905566-g-8-debutto-letta-vertice-diviso-siria-libero-scambio-usa.shtml G8, il debutto di Enrico Letta Prima l'incontro con Obama L'incognita Siria divide già – Quotidiano Net]. Quotidiano.net. Retrieved on 24 August 2013. During the summit, Letta had his first bilateral meeting with the President of the United States, Barack Obama. On 17 October, Letta was invited to the White House by President Obama, who stated that he had been really impressed by the Italian Prime Minister and his reforms plan.[https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2013/10/17/news/incontro_letta_obama-68782881/ Usa, Obama riceve Letta: "Italia sulla strada giusta, impressionato da premier"], la Repubblica

On 5 and 6 September, Letta took part in the G20 summit in Saint Petersburg. The summit was focused on the aftermath of the Syrian civil war. Letta advocated for a diplomatic resolution of the crisis promoted by the United Nations.[https://www.huffingtonpost.it/2013/09/11/siria-enrico-letta-soluzione-politica-onu_n_3905199.html Siria, Enrico Letta: "Una soluzione politica con l'Onu è ancora possibile. Strada stretta, ma fondamentale"], Huffington Post On 25 September, during his speech in front of the United Nations General Assembly, Letta asked a deep reform of the UN Security Council.[https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2013/09/25/news/letta-67209680/ Letta a Wall Street: "Siamo affidabili". E all'Onu chiede riforma Consiglio sicurezza], la Repubblica

On 28 September 2013, five ministers of The People of Freedom resigned on the orders of their leader, Silvio Berlusconi, pointing to the decision to postpone the decree that prevented the increase of the VAT from 21 to 22%, thus opening a government crisis.{{cite web|url=http://www.repubblica.it/politica/2013/09/28/news/berlusconi_no_ultimatum_letta-67472967/?ref=fbpr |title=Berlusconi fa dimettere ministri: è crisi. Letta: gesto folle per motivi personali |publisher=Repubblica.it |date=28 September 2013 |access-date=13 February 2014}} On the following day, Letta had a meeting with President Napolitano to discuss the possible alternatives to solve the crisis. The head of State stressed that he would dissolve parliament only if there were no other possible alternatives.{{cite web|url=http://www.repubblica.it/politica/2013/09/29/news/crisi_la_preoccupazione_di_napolitano_oggi_letta_sale_al_quirinale-67505254/?ref=HREA-1.shtml |title=Napolitano: "Verifico possibilità legislatura". Caos nel Pdl. Alfano: "No a estremismi" |publisher=Repubblica.it |date=29 September 2013 |access-date=13 February 2014}}

File:Alfano Letta Napolitano.jpg and Giorgio Napolitano in December 2013]]

In the following days, dozens of members of PdL prepared to defy Berlusconi and vote in favour of the government, prompting him to announce that he would back the Prime Minister.[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-politics-idUSBRE9910A520131002 Berlusconi U-turn secures Italian government survival]{{cite web |title=Italian PM wins confidence vote after Berlusconi abandons revolt - as it happens |date=2013-10-02 |website=The Guardian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327134653/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/oct/02/italian-prime-minister-faces-crunch-confidence-vote-live |archive-date=2023-03-27 |url-status=live |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/oct/02/italian-prime-minister-faces-crunch-confidence-vote-live}}[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24367509 Italy crisis: PM Letta wins vote after Berlusconi U-turn] On 2 October, the government received 235 votes in favor and 70 against in the Senate, and 435 in favor and 162 against in the Chamber of Deputies.{{cite web|url=http://www.ansa.it/web/notizie/rubriche/politica/2013/09/30/Irrevocabili-dimissioni-ministri-Pdl_9383173.html |title=Irrevocabili dimissioni ministri Pdl – Politica |publisher=ANSA.it |date=28 September 2013 |access-date=13 February 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ansa.it/web/notizie/rubriche/politica/2013/09/30/Letta-mercoledi-Camera-Senato_9384062.html |title=Letta mercoledì a Camera e Senato – Politica |publisher=ANSA.it |date=29 September 2013 |access-date=13 February 2014}} Letta could thus continue his grand coalition government.{{cite web|url=http://www.repubblica.it/politica/2013/10/02/news/governo_letta_fiducia_in_senato-67704336/?ref=HREA-1 |title=Berlusconi si arrende, Letta ottiene fiducia Napolitano: "Ora basta giochi al massacro" |publisher=Repubblica.it |date=16 November 2013 |access-date=13 February 2014}}

On 23 November, the Senate had to vote about the expulsion of Berlusconi from the Parliament, due to a conviction of tax fraud by the court of final instance and the Court of Cassation, which occurred a few months before.{{cite web |url=http://www.nybooks.com/blogs/nyrblog/2013/aug/24/holding-italy-hostage/ |title=Holding Italy Hostage |last1=Parks |first1=Tim |date=24 August 2013 |website=The New York Review of Books |access-date=6 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131025180502/http://www.nybooks.com/blogs/nyrblog/2013/aug/24/holding-italy-hostage/ |archive-date=25 October 2013 |url-status=live}} Because he had been sentenced to a gross imprisonment for more than two years, the Senate voted to expel him from the Parliament, barring him from serving in any legislative office for six years.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25128115 Italy's Senate expels ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi], BBC, 27 November 2013. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131130215623/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25128115 |date=30 November 2013 }}{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-politics-berlusconi-idUSBRE98H0JK20130918 |title=Berlusconi vows to stay in politics as ban approaches |work=Reuters |date=18 September 2013 |access-date=18 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014123638/https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/18/us-italy-politics-berlusconi-idUSBRE98H0JK20130918 |archive-date=14 October 2013}}

After his expulsion from the Parliament, Berlusconi, who disbanded the PdL a few days before re-founding Forza Italia party, withdrew his support to the government. However, the interior minister Angelino Alfano did not follow his former leader, founding, along with other ministers and many members of the parliament, the New Centre-Right party, remaining in government.{{cite web |author=james mackenzie |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/News/World/2013/12/03/Italy-PM-Letta-to-seek-new-confidence-vote-on-December-11.aspx |title=Italy PM Letta to seek new confidence vote on December 11 |work=The Star |date=3 December 2013 |location=Malaysia |access-date=13 February 2014 |archive-date=7 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207073925/http://www.thestar.com.my/News/World/2013/12/03/Italy-PM-Letta-to-seek-new-confidence-vote-on-December-11.aspx |url-status=dead }} The government later won key confidence votes in December 2013, with 173 votes in favour in the Senate and 350 in the Chamber.[https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2013/12/11/news/governo_oggi_il_voto_di_fiducia_renzi_ai_gruppi_pd_lo_sosterremo-73293492/?ref=HREC1-1.shtml Letta incassa la fiducia, ma è bagarre in aula. E la Lega perde un pezzo], la Repubblica

On 26 January 2014, the Minister of Agriculture, Nunzia De Girolamo, resigned from her post due to claims of improper conduct linked to a scandal in the local healthcare system of her hometown, Benevento.{{cite news|title=Italy minister resigns, adding to headaches for government|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-minister-idUSBREA0P0QV20140126|accessdate=29 January 2014|work=Reuters|date=26 January 2014|author=James MacKenzie|location=Rome}}{{cite news|title=Italy's agriculture minister resigns, blow to govt|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/news/world/article/Italy-s-agriculture-minister-resigns-blow-to-govt-5176830.php|accessdate=29 January 2014|work=Seattle Pi|date=26 January 2014}} Her resignation was accepted by Letta on the following day, who took the ministerial role ad interim.{{cite news|title=Premier accepts agriculture minister's resignation|url=http://www.lagazzettadelmezzogiorno.it/english/premier-accepts-agriculture-minister-s-resignation-no688892|accessdate=29 January 2014|newspaper=La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno|date=27 January 2014|archive-date=2 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702072718/http://www.lagazzettadelmezzogiorno.it/english/premier-accepts-agriculture-minister-s-resignation-no688892|url-status=dead}}

On 8 December 2013, the Mayor of Florence, Matteo Renzi, won the Democratic Party leadership election by a landslide, immediately starting rumours about the possibility of becoming the new prime minister.[http://www.primariepd2013.it/ Primarie PD 2013], Partito Democratico On 17 January 2014, while on air at Le invasioni barbariche on La7 TV channel, interviewed about tensions between him and Prime Minister Letta, Renzi tweeted the hashtag #enricostaisereno ("Enrico don't worry") to reassure his party colleague that he was not plotting anything against him.[https://video.corriere.it/renzi-quando-assicurava-non-voler-prendere-posto-letta/dc4fcb3e-93c4-11e3-9655-88e5cf27ff03 Renzi: quando assicurava di non voler prendere il posto di Letta], Corriere della Sera

File:Letta Renzi Napolitano.jpg and President Napolitano in October 2013]]

The growing criticism of the slow pace of Italian economic reform left Letta increasingly isolated within his own party.{{cite web | url =http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/14/letta-tenders-resignation-to-italian-president/ | title =Napolitano accepts Letta's resignation as Italian prime minister | publisher =Euronews | date =14 February 2014 | access-date =14 February 2014 | archive-date =14 February 2014 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20140214231858/http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/14/letta-tenders-resignation-to-italian-president/ | url-status =dead }} At a PD's meeting on 13 February 2014, the Democratic Party leadership voted heavily in favour of Renzi's motion for "a new government, a new phase and a radical programme of reforms". Minutes after the party backed Renzi's proposal by 136 votes to 16, with two abstentions, Letta went to the Quirinal Palace, for a bilateral meeting with President Napolitano.

In an earlier speech, Renzi had paid tribute to Letta, saying that he did not intend to put him "on trial". But, without directly proposing himself as the next prime minister, he said the Eurozone's third-largest economy urgently needed "a new phase" and "radical programme" to push through badly-needed reforms. The motion he put forward made clear "the necessity and urgency of opening a new phase with a new executive". Speaking privately to party leaders, Renzi said that Italy was "at a crossroads" and faced either holding fresh elections or a new government without a return to the polls.{{cite news|author=Lizzy Davies in Rome|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/13/italian-pm-enrico-letta-to-resign|title=Italian PM Enrico Letta to resign|work=The Guardian|access-date=13 February 2014}}

On 14 February, Letta resigned from the office of prime minister.{{cite web|url=http://ria.ru/world/20140214/994925256.html| script-title=ru:Правительственный кризис в Италии: премьер Летта ушел в отставку|publisher=RIA Novosti|language=ru|date=14 February 2014|access-date=14 February 2014}} Following Letta's resignation, Renzi received the task of forming a new government from President Napolitano on 17 February,{{cite web|title=39 Year Old Matteo Renzi becomes, at 39, Youngest Italian Prime Minister|url=http://news.biharprabha.com/2014/02/39-year-old-matteo-renzi-becomes-youngest-italian-prime-minister|work=IANS|publisher=news.biharprabha.com|access-date=17 February 2014}} and was formally sworn in as prime minister on 22 February.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26301943|title=Matteo Renzi sworn in as Italy's new PM in Rome ceremony|publisher=BBC|date= 22 February 2014|access-date=26 February 2014}}

File:Enrico Letta (30270150312).jpg in 2016]]

In 2015, Letta resigned as a member of the Chamber of Deputies, after having voted against the new electoral law proposed by Prime Minister Renzi; at the same time, he announced that he would not renew the PD's membership.[https://web.archive.org/web/20190213064157/https://www.huffingtonpost.it/2015/07/24/letta-dimissioni-applauso-camera_n_7862574.html Enrico Letta si dimette da deputato: il discorso in aula e il lungo applauso della Camera], Huffington Post

In April 2015, Letta moved to Paris to teach at the Sciences Po, a higher education institute of political science. Since 1 September, he became dean of the Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA) of the same institute.{{cite web|url=http://www.sciencespo.fr/en/news/news/enrico-letta-new-dean-psia-2/1168 | title = Enrico Letta, New Dean of PSIA | publisher = SciencesPo News | date = 21 April 2014 | access-date = 2017-03-10}} Along with his commitment to Sciences Po, he also had teaching periods at the University of Technology Sydney and the School of Global Policy and Strategy at the University of California, San Diego. In the same year, Letta launched Scuola di Politiche (School of Politics), a course of political science for young Italians.[https://www.scuoladipolitiche.eu "Scuola di Politiche"], Scuoladipolitiche.eu. Retrieved 4 February 2022.

In 2016, Letta supported the constitutional reform proposed by Renzi to reduce the powers of the Senate.[https://www.corriere.it/politica/referendum-riforma-costituzionale/notizie/referendum-letta-sono-il-si-renzi-riforme-25189d28-7b71-11e6-ae27-bc43cc35ec72.shtml Letta: «Italicum legge sbagliata. Ma al referendum io voterò Sì»], Corriere della Sera In the same year, along with the Jacques Delors Institute, he launched a school of political science focused on European issues, known as Académie Notre Europe.[https://www.huffingtonpost.it/2017/07/11/letta-battezza-academie-notre-europe-per-creare-una-classe-dir_a_23025319/ Letta battezza Académie Notre Europe: "Per creare una classe dirigente europea ed europeista"], Huffington Post In October 2017, he joined the new Comitè Action Publique 2022, a public commission for the reform of state and public administration in France which was strongly supported by President Emmanuel Macron.[https://www.ilgiornale.it/news/politica/macron-chiama-letta-far-parte-commissione-riforma-dello-1452235.html Macron chiama Letta a far parte della Commissione per la riforma dello Stato], Il Giornale

File:Enrico Letta, François Hollande & Jean-Claude Juncker (30386305895).jpg and Jean-Claude Juncker in 2016]]

In March 2019, following the victory of Nicola Zingaretti in the PD leadership election, Letta announced that he would re-join the party after four years.[https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043636/https://rep.repubblica.it/pwa/intervista/2019/03/04/news/enrico_letta_dopo_5_anni_riprendo_la_tessera_del_pd_mai_piu_partito_dell_antipatia_-220739875/?ref=fbpr&fbclid=IwAR0e0DuG0arrqxBdOf1f2rrgIS75but8oi224PhCD_2yoluD5t50N1a_V78 Enrico Letta: "Dopo 5 anni riprendo la tessera del Pd. Mai più partito dell’antipatia"], la Repubblica In the same year, Letta also served on the advisory board of the annual Human Development Report of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), co-chaired by Thomas Piketty and Tharman Shanmugaratnam.[http://hdr.undp.org/en/content/2019-human-development-report-advisory-board-members 2019 Human Development Report Advisory Board Members] United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). In 2020, he spoke in favour of the constitutional reform to reduce the number of MPs, considering it the first step to overcome perfect bicameralism.[https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2020/09/01/referendum-letta-votero-si-convintamente-tutte-le-nostre-proposte-di-riforma-prevedevano-lo-stesso-taglio-630-deputati-ne-bastano-400/5916303/ Referendum, Letta: "Voterò Sì convintamente. Tutte le nostre proposte di riforma prevedevano lo stesso taglio. 630 deputati? Ne bastano 400"], Il Fatto Quotidiano

Following his retirement from politics, Letta became advisor of many corporations and international organizations like Abertis, where he became member of the Board of Directors in 2016,{{Cite web|url=https://www.abertis.com/en/press-room/press-releases/914|title=Abertis' Board of Directors appoints Luis Fortuño and Enrico Letta as new directors|website=Abertis.com|language=en|access-date=2018-08-16|archive-date=16 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816194737/https://www.abertis.com/en/press-room/press-releases/914|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.corriere.it/economia/18_marzo_14/ai-benetton-autostrade-spagnole-accordo-atlantia-hochtief-abertis-ba555ff2-275f-11e8-bb9f-fef48ac89c0b.shtml|title=Ai Benetton le autostrade spagnole Accordo Atlantia-Hochtief su Abertis|last=Polizzi|first=Daniela|work=Corriere della Sera|access-date=2018-08-16|language=it-IT}} Amundi, in which he served as member of the Global Advisory Board since 2016,[http://media.amundi.com/amundi_press_en_uk/Pages/Communiques-de-presse/2016/Amundi-creates-a-Global-Advisory-Board-with-world-renowned-experts-in-global-economic-and-political-issues Amundi creates a Global Advisory Board with world-renowned experts in global economic and political issues] Amundi, press release of 31 May 2016. the Eurasia Group, of which he has been Senior Advisor since 2016,[https://www.eurasiagroup.net/media/former-italian-prime-minister-enrico-letta-joins-eurasia-group-as-senior-advisor Former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta joins Eurasia Group as Senior Advisor] Eurasia Group, press release of 8 March 2016. Publicis, where he served within the International Advisory Board since 2019[https://www.publicisgroupe.com/sites/default/files/press-release/PR_Supervisory_Board_20190307.pdf Supervisory Board] Publicis, press release of 7 March 2019. and Tikehau Capital, of which he became member of the International Advisory Board.[https://www.tikehaucapital.com/en/our-group/our-people/international-advisory-board International Advisory Board] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210104201501/https://www.tikehaucapital.com/en/our-group/our-people/international-advisory-board |date=4 January 2021 }} Tikehau Capital.

Letta is a member of many no-profit organizations like the International Gender Champions (IGC),[https://genderchampions.com/champions Members] International Gender Champions (IGC). the British Council, Re-Imagine Europa,[https://archive.today/20210315162547/http://reimagine-europa.eu/advisory-board Advisory Board] Re-Imagine Europa. the Trilateral Commission, in which he presided the European Group,[http://trilateral.org/download/files/membership/TC_list_4_2018(3).pdf Membership] Trilateral Commission. the Aspen Institute Italia, in which he served in the Executive Committee,{{cite web|url=https://www.aspeninstitute.it/istituto/comunita-aspen/comitato-esecutivo|title=Comitato Esecutivo|publisher=Aspen Institute Italia|access-date=26 April 2013|archive-date=9 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009043826/https://www.aspeninstitute.it/istituto/comunita-aspen/comitato-esecutivo|url-status=dead}} Associazione Italia ASEAN, of which he became chairman[http://www.itasean.org/en/about-us/ About Us] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125162926/http://www.itasean.org/en/about-us/ |date=25 November 2018 }} Associazione Italia ASEAN. and the Institut de Prospective Economique du Monde Méditerranéen (IPEMED).[http://www.ipemed.coop/en/ipemed-r21/ipemeds-governance-c71/ Governance] Institut de Prospective Economique du Monde Méditerranéen (IPEMED), Paris..

Letta was appointed Dean of IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs. Letta will replace Manuel Muñiz, the current Provost of IE University and Charmain of the Board of IE New York College. He will join IE University on November 20.https://www.ie.edu/school-politics-economics-global-affairs/news/enrico-letta-former-italian-prime-minister-appointed-dean-ie-school-politics-economics-global-affairs/

File:Memorial for President Sassoli- “Your fight for democracy will live on” - 51828613384.jpg during the memorial for David Sassoli, in January 2022]]

In January 2021, after the government crisis which forced Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte to resign, a national unity government led by Mario Draghi was formed.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56049115 |publisher=BBC News |title=Mario Draghi sworn in as Italy's new prime minister |date=13 February 2021}} In the midst of the formation of Draghi's government, Zingaretti was heavily criticized by the party's minority for his management of the crisis and strenuous support to Conte. On 4 March, after weeks of internal turmoil, Zingaretti announced his resignation as secretary, stating that he was "ashamed of the power struggles" within the party.{{cite web |url=https://www.ft.com/content/1d56ac12-9c32-43d1-bcba-202fe7e34483 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307145336/https://www.ft.com/content/1d56ac12-9c32-43d1-bcba-202fe7e34483 |archive-date=7 March 2021 |url-access=subscription |publisher=Financial Times |title=Zingaretti quits as chief of Italy's Democratic party over infighting |date=4 March 2021 |access-date=12 March 2021 |url-status=bot: unknown }}

In the next days, many prominent members of the PD, including Zingaretti himself, but also former prime minister Paolo Gentiloni, former party secretary Dario Franceschini and President of Emilia-Romagna Stefano Bonaccini, publicly asked former Letta to become the new leader of the party.{{cite web |url=https://www.ilfoglio.it/politica/2021/03/12/video/zingaretti-letta-puo-rendere-il-pd-protagonista-indiscusso-della-democrazia-italiana--2020469/ |publisher=Il Foglio |language=Italian |title=Zingaretti: "Letta può rendere il Pd protagonista indiscusso della democrazia italiana" |date=12 March 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://www.ilfoglio.it/politica/2021/03/09/news/-dobbiamo-salvare-il-pd-cosi-franceschini-lavora-per-letta-2004863/ |publisher=Il Foglio |language=Italian |title="Dobbiamo salvare il Pd". Così Franceschini lavora per Letta |date=9 March 2021}} Following an initial reluctance, Letta stated that he needed a few days to evaluate the option.{{Cite web|date=2021-03-10|title=Letta takes time to consider taking lead of PD – English|url=https://www.ansa.it/english/news/politics/2021/03/10/letta-takes-time-to-consider-taking-lead-of-pd_a218527a-af9a-4c44-900b-aff53ccd929f.html|access-date=2021-03-10|website=ANSA.it|language=en}} On 12 March, he officially accepted his candidacy as new party's leader.{{cite web |url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2021/03/12/news/assemblea_pd_enrico_letta_segreteria-291910213/ |publisher=La Repubblica |language=Italian |title=Pd, Letta sarà il nuovo segretario. Il tweet: "Io ci sono, chiedo voto sulla base delle mie parole". Ecco il programma dell'Assemblea di domenica |date=12 March 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/enrico-letta-one-time-italian-pm-poised-for-political-comeback/ |publisher=Politico Europe |title=Enrico Letta, Italian ex-PM, poised for political comeback |date=12 March 2021}} On 14 March, the national assembly of the PD elected Letta secretary with 860 votes in favour, 2 against and 4 abstentions.[https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2021/03/14/news/pd_assemblea_streaming_enrico_letta_segretario-292158060/?ref=RHTP-BH-I288512892-P1-S1-T1 Pd, Letta segretario con 860 sì: "Serve un nuovo Pd. Priorità a lavoro, giovani e donne". Promette battaglia sul voto ai sedicenni e Ius soli. E sulle alleanze: "Sentirò 5S e Renzi"], la Repubblica{{cite video|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VLxqucg5GwA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/VLxqucg5GwA |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|title=First speech as candidate secretary of the Italian Partito Democratico|language=Italian}}{{cbignore}}

On 17 March, Letta appointed Peppe Provenzano and Irene Tinagli as his deputy secretaries.[https://www.huffingtonpost.it/entry/provenzano-e-tinagli-il-cacciavite-di-letta-funziona_it_60525333c5b6264a8fb8f030 Provenzano e Tinagli, il cacciavite di Letta funziona], Huffington Post On the following day, he appointed the party's new executive, composed of eight men and eight women.[https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2021/03/18/news/pd_letta_nomina_la_nuova_segreteria_del_partito-292781848/ Pd, Letta nomina la nuova segreteria del partito: sedici membri, otto uomini e otto donne], la Repubblica Later that month, Letta forced the two Democratic leaders in Parliament, Graziano Delrio and Andrea Marcucci, to resign and proposed the election of two female leaders.[https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2021/03/21/news/pd_letta_capigruppo_donne-293176306/ Pd, Letta: "Nominiamo due donne capigruppo alla Camera e al Senato". Delrio: "Agito sempre per parità"], la Repubblica On 25 and 30 March, senators and deputies elected Simona Malpezzi and Debora Serracchiani as their leaders in the Senate and in the Chamber.[https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2021/03/25/news/pd_simona_malpezzi_capogruppo_senato-293724924/ Pd, Simona Malpezzi è la nuova capogruppo al Senato. E alla Camera vacilla l'ipotesi Serracchiani], la Repubblica[https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2021/03/30/pd-serracchiani-madia-oggi-la-scelta-della-capogruppo_341e54c6-65f3-4ff1-b1f8-5741a3b69e89.html Debora Serracchiani capogruppo Pd alla Camera], ANSA

File:Pääministeri Marin Roomassa 18.5.2022 (52082298621).jpg and the Finnish PM Sanna Marin in 2022]]

In July 2021, Letta announced his intention to run for the Chamber of Deputies in the Siena constituency, which remained vacant after the resignation of Pier Carlo Padoan. On 4 October, Letta won the by-election with 49.9% of votes, returning to the Parliament after six years.[https://www.ansa.it/toscana/notizie/2021/10/04/suppletive-letta-avanti-col-43-nelle-prime-52-sezioni-su-292_45373bb6-f8a5-4655-8fe4-c86c5904b342.html Letta vince a Siena le suppletive], ANSA In the concurrent local elections, the PD and its allies won municipal elections in Milan, Bologna, Naples, Rome, Turin and many other major cities across the country.[https://www.repubblica.it/dossier/politica/amministrative-2021/2021/10/18/news/risultati_ballottaggi_comunali_2021_in_diretta-322778100/?ref=RHTP-BH-I322529707-P1-S1-T1 Risultati ballottaggi del 17 e 18 ottobre. A Roma e Torino trionfa il centrosinistra. A Trieste vince il centrodestra], la Repubblica

As leader of the third political force in the parliament, Letta played an important role in the re-election of incumbent president Sergio Mattarella. On 23 January 2022, during Fabio Fazio's talk show Che tempo che fa, Letta stated that his favourable candidates for the presidency were Mario Draghi and Sergio Mattarella.[https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2022/01/24/news/quirinale_pd_letta_mattarella_salvini_draghi-335000734/ Quirinale, la proposta di Letta: "Draghi o Mattarella, il bis sarebbe il massimo"], ''la Repubblica On the morning of 29 January, after the fall of all other possible candidacies, Letta asked the other leaders to follow "the Parliament's wisdom", referring to the massive support that Mattarella had received in the previous ballots.{{cite news|date=29 January 2022|title=L'assist di Letta la Mattarella-bis|url=https://www.ilfoglio.it/politica/2022/01/29/news/l-assist-di-letta-al-mattarella-bis-3616173/|work=Corriere della Sera|language=it|access-date=29 January 2022}} On the same day, all the main parties asked Mattarella to serve for a second term. Despite his initial firm denial, Mattarella accepted the nomination{{cite news|date=29 January 2022|title=Mattarella to be re-elected after saying he is 'willing'|url=https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2022/01/29/mattarella-to-be-re-elected-after-saying-he-is-willing_9f63ffda-2d2b-4c03-9148-73fe01b3c496.html|access-date=30 January 2022|publisher=ANSA|archive-date=29 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129171206/https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2022/01/29/mattarella-to-be-re-elected-after-saying-he-is-willing_9f63ffda-2d2b-4c03-9148-73fe01b3c496.html|url-status=live}} and was re-elected with 759 votes.{{cite news|date=29 January 2022|title=Elezioni Presidente della repubblica 2022|url=https://elezioni.repubblica.it/2022/presidente-repubblica/8|work=La Repubblica|language=it|access-date=28 January 2022|archive-date=29 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129223242/https://elezioni.repubblica.it/2022/presidente-repubblica/8|url-status=live}}

In July 2022, tensions arose within the governing majority, especially between Giuseppe Conte, leader of the Five Star Movement, and Prime Minister Draghi. Letta, who was trying to form a broad centre-left coalition with the M5S in the following election, was particularly critical of the possibility of a government crisis.[https://www.huffingtonpost.it/politica/2022/07/13/news/letta_governo_paradossale_metterlo_ora_a_rischio-9831365/ Letta: "Evitiamo il colpo di pistola di Sarajevo, se cade il governo si va al voto"], Huffington Post On 13 July, Conte announced that the M5S would revoke its support to the national unity government regarding the so-called decreto aiuti ({{langx|en|aid decree}}), concerning economic stimulus to contrast the ongoing energy crisis, opening a political crisis within the majority.{{cite news|date=13 July 2022|title=Italy's government on the brink as 5-Star threatens to boycott confidence vote|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/13/italys-government-on-the-brink-as-5-star-threatens-to-boycott-confidence-vote|work=Guardian|language=en|access-date=13 July 2022}} On the following day, the M5S abstained and Prime Minister Draghi, despite having won the confidence vote, resigned.[https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/07/14/italy-government-collapse-fivestar/ Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi says he’ll resign, government faces collapse], Washington Post However, the resignation was rejected by President Mattarella.[https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/topnews/2022/07/14/mattarella-respinge-dimissioni-draghi-e-manda-premier-a-camere_8d170c15-2270-40f9-8ab1-e0a8ed06a03e.html Mattarella respinge dimissioni Draghi e manda premier a Camere], ANSA On the same day, Letta stressed that a government crisis needed to be officially opened in the Parliament, adding that "Italy deserved to stand with a strong personality like that of PM Draghi and the team that was around him."[https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2022/07/14/news/crisi_governo_draghi_m5s_verifica_maggioranza_cosa_significa-357755935/ Governo in bilico, Letta: "La crisi si apre in Parlamento". Anche la Lega valuta la verifica di maggioranza: cosa significa], la Repubblica However, on 21 July, Draghi resigned again after a new confidence vote in the Senate failed to pass with an absolute majority, following the defections of M5S, Lega, and Forza Italia;{{cite news|last=Horowitz|first=Jason|date=20 July 2022|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/20/world/europe/draghi-italy-prime-minister.html|title=Draghi Government Falls Apart, Returning Turbulent Politics to Italy|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=21 July 2022|archive-date=21 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721014225/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/20/world/europe/draghi-italy-prime-minister.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220720-italy-s-draghi-calls-for-new-pact-ahead-of-confidence-vote|title=Italy in limbo as Draghi wins confidence vote but loses parliamentary majority|website=France 24|publisher=Agence-France Press|date=20 July 2022|access-date=21 July 2022|archive-date=20 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720100238/https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220720-italy-s-draghi-calls-for-new-pact-ahead-of-confidence-vote|url-status=live}} A snap election was called for 25 September 2022.{{cite news|last1=Borghese|first1=Livia|last2=Braithwaite|first2=Sharon|last3=Fox|first3=Kara|last4=Latza Nadeau|first4=Barbie|last5=Ruotolo|first5=Nicola|date=21 July 2022|title=Italy's president dissolves parliament, triggering snap election following Draghi's resignation|url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/21/europe/mario-draghi-italy-resignation-intl/index.html|url-status=live|access-date=22 July 2022|publisher=CNN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721113352/https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/21/europe/mario-draghi-italy-resignation-intl/index.html|archive-date=21 July 2022}}

After the 2022 general election, Enrico Letta conceded defeat and announced that he would not stand at the congress to elect the new party secretary.{{cite web | url=https://www.secoloditalia.it/2022/09/letta-si-dimette-sotto-questa-percentuale-e-i-big-gia-lo-archiviano-e-caccia-al-nuovo-segretario/ | title=«Letta si dimette sotto questa percentuale». E i big già lo archiviano: è caccia al nuovo segretario | date=6 September 2022 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.huffingtonpost.it/politica/2022/09/23/news/come_una_mucca_nel_corridoio_il_congresso_pd_si_piazza_sul_palco_di_letta-10275821/ | title=Come una mucca nel corridoio. Il congresso Pd si piazza sul palco di Letta | date=23 September 2022 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.ilfoglio.it/politica/2022/09/24/news/letta-pensa-alle-elezioni-ma-il-pd-pensa-al-congresso-4474449/ | title=Letta pensa alle elezioni, ma il Pd pensa al congresso }}{{cite web | url=https://notizie.tiscali.it/politica/articoli/pd-letta-gioveda-6-ottobre-direzione-sul-congresso-00001/?chn | title=Pd: Letta, giovedì 6 ottobre direzione sul congresso | date=28 September 2022 }} He was succeeded by Elly Schlein, following the election on 26 February 2023.{{Cite web |last=Nova |first=Redazione Agenzia |date=2023-02-26 |title=Elly Schlein è la nuova segretaria del Partito democratico |url=https://www.agenzianova.com/news/elly-schlein-e-la-nuova-segretaria-del-partito-democratico/ |access-date=2023-02-26 |website=Agenzia Nova |language=it-IT}}

Letta is married to Gianna Fregonara, an Italian journalist, with whom he had three children, Giacomo, Lorenzo and Francesco.{{cite news|title=Enrico Letta Profile: Mild-Mannered AC Milan Fan who is Italy's Next PM|date=24 April 2013|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/460866/20130424/enrico-letta-profile-italy-pm.htm|work= International Business Times|access-date=30 April 2013}}

Letta is known to be fond of listening to Dire Straits and playing Subbuteo;{{cite news|first=Tom|last=Kington|title=Enrico Letta to become youngest Italian prime minister in 25 years|date=24 April 2013|url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/10014904/Enrico-Letta-to-become-youngest-Italian-prime-minister-in-25-years.html|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=4 May 2013}} he is also an avid supporter of A.C. Milan.[https://www.agi.it/politica/news/2021-03-12/pd-chi-e-enrico-letta-11747138/ Tra la passione per la politica, l'Ue e il Milan, chi è Enrico Letta], AGI – Agenzia Italiana In addition to his native Italian, Letta speaks French, English, and Spanish fluently.

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