Italy referendum: PM Matteo Renzi resigns after clear referendum defeat - BBC News
Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has resigned after suffering a heavy defeat in a referendum over his plan to reform the constitution.
In a late-night statement, he said took responsibility for the outcome. He said the No camp must now make clear proposals.
An exit poll for state broadcaster RAI suggests 42-46% voted to back reform, compared with 54-58% voting No.
The first projection based on the vote count points to an even wider defeat.
Yes, but we will need a second referendum before he can resign. We need to know how he is going to leave office. If he is going to walk home, well that's one thing - but a taxi ? These questions must be answered before he resigns......
Or a second one to change the first one surely?
Oo-er. The EU upper-echelon are likely to be fearful.
Based Italy doing the right thing.
No, No, we accept the result, BUT .. etc, etc,
Interesting how the younger people voted knowing it's a full on rejection of the EU pressure for reform.
While the Brexit win was blamed on the older generation.
Ultimately both referendums leading to EU rejection.
Italy’s Sky TG24, citing pollsters Quorum, says younger voters opted overwhelmingly for no, by 81% to 19% among 18- to 34-year-olds.
For the 35-54 age group, 67% chose no, with 33% ticking yes.
It was only among the 55voters that a majority went for yes, by 53% to 47%.
But he was appointed to hold the highest office in his country. How could he be wrong?
The Italian result is not good news for the Euro zone. Italy is its third largest member.
Its banks are weak and the country's debt-to-GDP ratio is 133%. ( 2nd only to Greece's)
Matteo Renzi was Brussels' man to win the referendum but it was not to be. Now there is a question mark over Italy and the EU is nervous.
Although there are some reports of Italy moving towards a break from the EU, I somehow don't think that will happen. They, just like Greece, are trapped in the EU project and supported by them.
Unlike the UK, Italy going it alone might spell disaster for the country and unlike the British people, the Italians do not have the confidence that they would be any better off splitting.
Like Cameron maybe?
Doing the bidding of his EU masters by holding it in the first place, when he had no need to do so?