ROME -- Diplomats have written a letter of protest to Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi in remonstration against his recent appointing of Carlo Calenda as ambassador to the EU in Brussels. The letter was signed by 230 diplomats both at home and abroad, representing almost a third of the entire diplomatic corps.

 It states that, "The appointing of Calenda has caused us profound confusion, especially at your [Renzi's] particular attention to merit and to meritocracy which has always distinguished your political commitment, and which alongside transparency represents the cornerstone of the Public Administration reform that your government is leading."

 "You cannot randomly become an ambassador. You become a diplomat first and foremost through the course of professionality, responsibility and steady appraisal."

 Renzi's choice to name Calenda as the new ambassador sparked controversy, in light of it being the first time ever that the role would be occupied by someone with no prior diplomatic experience. Calenda previously worked as a marketing director for Sky Italia and then for the business group Confidustria. He is reported to be a friend of Renzi's.

 The diplomats first expressed dismay at Calenda's appointment in a letter written on Jan. 22 to the secretary general of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Michele Valensise, and the head of Gentiloni's cabinet, Elisabetta Belloni. They asked for the immediate commencement of "every appropriate and necessary effort - including within the Presidency of the Republic - for a rethinking of this decision."

 Six days later the same signatories decided to bypass their heads of ministry and appeal directly to the Prime Minister.   ft