Renzi among the world’s best ‘decision-makers’

The 39-year-old has been listed alongside German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in the ‘decision-makers’ category of Foreign Policy's 2014 ‘100 Leading Global Thinkers’ ranking.

Renzi, who stormed to power in February, is described by the global politics magazine as the "post-Berlusconi 'Demolition Man'…ready to replace Italy’s sclerotic politics with business-friendly efficiency (without the bunga bunga)”.

“Renzi’s goal was to get Italy’s house in order and then use the country’s enhanced credibility to take on the European Union’s austerity policies,” the magazine said.

Despite his controversial reform plans coming up against opposition from unions and members of his own party, the magazine said that if he can hang on to his office, Renzi “may be the best hope to lift Italy out of its worst economic slump since the 1930s”.

The premier hasn’t been afraid to challenge Europe either, supporting France when its government said it would shirk EU budget rules and threatening to expose the cost of EU "palaces" in a row over Italy's budget projections.

Foreign Policy's 2014 report highlighted the work of scientists, writers and campaigners from around the world across categories including 'challengers', 'innovators' and 'healers'.

The 'agitators' category, meanwhile, included Isis terrorist 'Jihadi John', Syrian terrorist leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.