Speaking after meeting with Schulz in Florence, Matteo Renzi stated that “Every vote for Partito Democratico is a vote for our common candidate Martin Schulz.” lending his full support for the candidate process.
Commenting on the endorsement, Martin Schulz called the public declaration made by Renzi “another step towards a more democratic Europe.” I want to be the first Commission President that is result of a democratic vote, not a backroom deal,” Schulz stated, “to get these two public endorsements, first from French President Francoise Hollande, and now from Italian Prime-Minister Matteo Renzi – in the span of just 12 hours – is a major step for European democracy.”