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Democratic Party in 'Fonzie' PM joke

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Democratic Party in 'Fonzie' PM joke
Italy's Democratic Party (PD) is enjoying Happy Days with leader Matteo Renzi. Image: Democratic Party

The Rome wing of Italy's ruling Democratic Party (PD) has made light of Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's reputation as the modern-day Fonzie, from the US sitcom Happy Days, in a poster advertising a party event this weekend.

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Boosted by a resounding success at last month’s EU elections, the PD has this week shown fresh confidence and decided to not take itself too seriously.

The party’s young leader, 39-year-old Renzi, has revamped Italian politics since becoming premier in February and is currently trying to drive his reform agenda through parliament.

Despite gaining praise everywhere from China to Germany, the youthful prime minister has however failed to shake off his boyish image.

Renzi’s goofy smile and strong penchant for a leather jacket have led Italians to compare him to Fonzie, the star of US sitcom Happy Days.

The politician’s image has followed him from Florence, where he was city mayor, to Rome where this week it has been immortalized on a party poster.

Democratic Party PD Happy Days poster

The Happy Days poster, showing a man in a white t-shirt and leather jacket, has been used to advertize a party event on Sunday.

The title may also refer to the PD’s new-found success, after gaining 40.8 percent in May’s European Parliament elections.

The results mark a relatively quick turnaround for the party, which gained just a quarter of the vote in national elections in February 2013.

SEE ALSO: Renzi vows to 'unblock Italy' with new reforms

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