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Italy's most famous chef threatens to leave over referendum vote Italy's most famous chef threatens to leave over referendum vote
(35 minutes later)
The biggest name in Italian cuisine has threatened to leave the country if voters reject a constitutional overhaul in an upcoming referendum that could topple the government. The biggest name in Italian cuisine has threatened to leave the country if voters defy the prime minister and reject a constitutional overhaul in an upcoming referendum that could topple the government.
Massimo Bottura, whose Osteria Francescana was in June named the world’s best restaurant, said he would “drop everything and go abroad” if his compatriots vote for something he believes would plunge the country into disarray. Massimo Bottura, whose Osteria Francescana was in June named the world’s best restaurant, said he would “drop everything and go abroad” if his compatriots voted against the changes – something he believes would plunge the country into disarray.
Polls on Friday showed the prime minister, Matteo Renzi, is heading for defeat in the 4 December referendum on which he staked his leadership. Polls on Friday showed the prime minister, Matteo Renzi, heading for defeat in the 4 December referendum on which he staked his leadership.
Bottura said if Renzi loses he would “thank the country that has given me so much”, close his Modena restaurant and open one in New York. Bottura said if Renzi lost he would “thank the country that has given me so much”, close his Modena restaurant and open one in New York.
There are concerns that a Renzi resignation could spark further turbulence in a European Union already grappling with Brexit, and pave the way for the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, founded by comedian Beppe Grillo, to seize power in the next election.There are concerns that a Renzi resignation could spark further turbulence in a European Union already grappling with Brexit, and pave the way for the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, founded by comedian Beppe Grillo, to seize power in the next election.
“The referendum is a cultural issue rather than a political one,” Bottura said.“The referendum is a cultural issue rather than a political one,” Bottura said.
“It’s not about Renzi, or Grillo. It’s this logic that ‘in Italy, things can’t be done’. If this logic comes to pass, then it’s finished.”“It’s not about Renzi, or Grillo. It’s this logic that ‘in Italy, things can’t be done’. If this logic comes to pass, then it’s finished.”
The reforms are intended to bring political stability and efficiency to one of the largest and costliest governments in the world. The changes are intended to bring political stability and efficiency to one of the largest and costliest governments in the world.
Regardless, many Italians have already decided to use the vote to vent their frustration against Renzi. But many Italians have already decided to use the vote to vent their frustration against Renzi.
Miguel Gotor, a detractor from within Renzi’s own centre-left Democratic party, argues that the government’s priority should be job creation and tackling bureaucracy and corruption.Miguel Gotor, a detractor from within Renzi’s own centre-left Democratic party, argues that the government’s priority should be job creation and tackling bureaucracy and corruption.
He also dismissed the suggestion that a defeat would prompt a political and economic catastrophe.He also dismissed the suggestion that a defeat would prompt a political and economic catastrophe.
“It is irresponsible to keep promoting this fear, to say ‘there’s going to be so much chaos if you don’t say yes’,” the senator said. “It is irresponsible to keep promoting this fear, to say there’s going to be so much chaos if you don’t say yes,” the senator said.
“We also need to stop thinking that a yes vote will stop the likes of Grillo.”“We also need to stop thinking that a yes vote will stop the likes of Grillo.”