Insight -The signals that opened Renzi's path to Italian power

Italian Prime Minister-designate Matteo Renzi listens to reporters' questions at the end of consultations with leaders of Italian parties at the Parliament in Rome February 19, 2014. REUTERS/Tony Gentile

ROME (Reuters) - Matteo Renzi espoused two rules on his path to power: don't govern without being elected, and don't rely on the establishment that has long called the shots in Italian politics. Then he saw a chance to act.

In the past fortnight Renzi, who leads the centre-left Democratic Party but is not a member of parliament, has surprised even close allies with an abrupt change in tactics.