RENZI LOSES: Italian PM to RESIGN as nation says ‘NO’ in critical referendum
ITALIAN Prime Minister Matteo Renzi is set to resign tomorrow after conceding defeat after exit polls showed a majority of Italians voted ‘No’ in the country’s momentous referendum.
By REBECCA PERRING & CHARLIE BAYLISS
Express.co.uk
Mon, Dec 5, 2016
Renzi had staked his political career on the result of the referendum on constitutional reform and promised to resign while the “Yes” vote was well ahead in the polls, but his promise has now backfired.
Renzi announced his resignation shortly after midnight after he said it had become “extraordinarily clear” the No campaign had snagged victory in the referendum.
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He announced at the press conference that his “experience of government finishes here” and will step down tomorrow afternoon.
A vote for “No” was depicted as another rejection of the establishment in the western world and opposition politicians have vowed to press for a snap election and a new government.
In results, which could hint at which way the critical vote is set to go before the final outcome is announced in the early hours of Monday morning, 55 to 59 per cent rejected the prime minister’s constitutional reforms.
An exit poll by the Piepoli Institute/IPR for state television station RAI, estimated those voting ‘Yes’ to back the reform at 42 to 46 per cent, compared with 54 to 58 percent for ‘No’, as the backlash against Mr Renzi gains momentum.
The euro immediately fell against the dollar on the exit polls, slipping to $1.0580 from $1.0625.
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