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Italy referendum: Matteo Renzi to resign after defeat as Austria rejects far right – live Italy referendum: Matteo Renzi to resign after defeat as Austria rejects far right – live
(35 minutes later)
12.23am GMT
00:23
The referendum result in Italy has prompted a drop for the euro – but not a Brexit-style lurch:
Post Renzirendum: € at 1.5 year low versus $ - 1% down, 4-5% down on month (orange). Not yet a patch on post brexit referendum £ slide -blue pic.twitter.com/DjQi6jAkvS
12.16am GMT
00:16
Italy: latest vote count
With 73.7% of precincts declared:
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at 12.16am GMT
12.15am GMT
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And Beppe Grillo, founder of Italy’s populist Five Star Movement, has called, via his blog, for an early election “as soon as possible”.
Beppe #Grillo on his blog - 'democracy has won' against 'propaganda by the regime', 'citizens are victorious' pic.twitter.com/Wncj24SC2W
A snap election is by no means certain, of course.
12.11am GMT
00:11
Back to Italy, where Virginia Raggi, the mayor of Rome and a member of the Five Star Movement, has tweeted her approval of the referendum result:
Italians have won. Now we rebuild the country. Our revolution does not end, in Rome and in Italy.
#HaVintoLaDemocrazia Hanno vinto gli italiani. Ora ricostruiamo il Paese. La nostra rivoluzione non si ferma, a Roma e in Italia.
12.07am GMT
00:07
While we’re on the subject of prime ministerial resignations, here’s another: John Key, prime minister of New Zealand, has just announced he will step down within a week.
You can catch up on that news here:
12.06am GMT
00:06
Claire Phipps
This is Claire Phipps picking up the live blog from Jon Henley, with continuing live coverage as Italy reels from the resignation of prime minister Matteo Renzi.
We’ll also have fallout from the result in Austria, where Alexander Van der Bellen has defeated far-right candidate Norbert Hofer for the presidency.
11.49pm GMT11.49pm GMT
23:4923:49
Here is what Stephanie Kirchgaessner, the Guardian’s Rome correspondent, said earlier about what was likely to happen next after the Italian prime minister, Matteo Renzi, hands in his promised resignation on Monday:Here is what Stephanie Kirchgaessner, the Guardian’s Rome correspondent, said earlier about what was likely to happen next after the Italian prime minister, Matteo Renzi, hands in his promised resignation on Monday:
It will fall to President Mattarella to try to cobble together a new government with the agreement of the country’s largest parties, including Silvio Berlusconi’s conservative Forza Italia. The young guns of the Five Star Movement, including Luigi di Maio, made clear last week that they would call for a swift election if the No camp was victorious.It will fall to President Mattarella to try to cobble together a new government with the agreement of the country’s largest parties, including Silvio Berlusconi’s conservative Forza Italia. The young guns of the Five Star Movement, including Luigi di Maio, made clear last week that they would call for a swift election if the No camp was victorious.
But while some see the potential rise of either the M5S or the Northern League – which are both anti-EU – as a sign that Italy could try to pull out of the single market, some analysts have downplayed that possibility. An exit from the euro would be exceedingly complicated and – while Euroscepticism is clearly on the rise – there is no clear political consensus to leave the single currency.But while some see the potential rise of either the M5S or the Northern League – which are both anti-EU – as a sign that Italy could try to pull out of the single market, some analysts have downplayed that possibility. An exit from the euro would be exceedingly complicated and – while Euroscepticism is clearly on the rise – there is no clear political consensus to leave the single currency.
Wolfango Piccoli, an analyst at Teneo Intelligence in London, said the most likely outcome would be for Renzi to resign and a new caretaker government to take over. The new government would then be expected to focus entirely on the passage of a new electoral law, which in turn would hamper the ability of either the M5S or the Northern League from winning a strong majority in the next elections.Wolfango Piccoli, an analyst at Teneo Intelligence in London, said the most likely outcome would be for Renzi to resign and a new caretaker government to take over. The new government would then be expected to focus entirely on the passage of a new electoral law, which in turn would hamper the ability of either the M5S or the Northern League from winning a strong majority in the next elections.
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at 11.50pm GMTat 11.50pm GMT
11.36pm GMT11.36pm GMT
23:3623:36
A much-needed note of calm from the BBC’s Gabriel Gatehouse. This referendum defeat does not necessarily mean snap elections, still less Italy exiting the euro:A much-needed note of calm from the BBC’s Gabriel Gatehouse. This referendum defeat does not necessarily mean snap elections, still less Italy exiting the euro:
Hold your horses though. This doesn't mean an exit from € let alone the EU. Doesn't even necessarily mean imminent electionsHold your horses though. This doesn't mean an exit from € let alone the EU. Doesn't even necessarily mean imminent elections
11.29pm GMT11.29pm GMT
23:2923:29
Renzi confirms he will resignRenzi confirms he will resign
Following what looks set to be a heavy defeat in his referendum on constitutional reforms, Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi confirms – as he promised – that he will resign. “I have lost and I say it out loud,” Renzi told a news conference, adding that he would submit his resignation on Monday.Following what looks set to be a heavy defeat in his referendum on constitutional reforms, Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi confirms – as he promised – that he will resign. “I have lost and I say it out loud,” Renzi told a news conference, adding that he would submit his resignation on Monday.
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at 11.33pm GMTat 11.33pm GMT
11.25pm GMT11.25pm GMT
23:2523:25
Renzi says he takes full responsibility for defeatRenzi says he takes full responsibility for defeat
Addressing the nation live on television from the Palazzo Chigi, Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi concedes and says he “takes full responsibility” for the heavy referendum defeat.Addressing the nation live on television from the Palazzo Chigi, Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi concedes and says he “takes full responsibility” for the heavy referendum defeat.
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at 11.27pm GMTat 11.27pm GMT
11.20pm GMT11.20pm GMT
23:2023:20
Although, as this tweet notes, “I’m coming” is what Renzi tweeted when he took office. So perhaps we should not assume he will depart the scene immediately ...Although, as this tweet notes, “I’m coming” is what Renzi tweeted when he took office. So perhaps we should not assume he will depart the scene immediately ...
Context: "Arrivo arrivo" is what Renzi tweeted from his first meeting with the president of the Republic when he took office. https://t.co/beiruiMjo6Context: "Arrivo arrivo" is what Renzi tweeted from his first meeting with the president of the Republic when he took office. https://t.co/beiruiMjo6
11.18pm GMT11.18pm GMT
23:1823:18
Italy’s prime minister, Matteo Renzi, is expected to address the nation shortly after suffering what looks like a heavy defeat in the constitutional referendum which he called – and after which he promised to resign if he lost.Italy’s prime minister, Matteo Renzi, is expected to address the nation shortly after suffering what looks like a heavy defeat in the constitutional referendum which he called – and after which he promised to resign if he lost.
Renzi has just tweeted to thank his supporters “anyway”, and to confirm he will be speaking live from Palazzo Chigi in a few minutes. “Long live Italy! PS I’m coming,” he concludes.Renzi has just tweeted to thank his supporters “anyway”, and to confirm he will be speaking live from Palazzo Chigi in a few minutes. “Long live Italy! PS I’m coming,” he concludes.
Grazie a tutti, comunque. Tra qualche minuto sarò in diretta da Palazzo Chigi. Viva l'Italia! Ps Arrivo, arrivo😀Grazie a tutti, comunque. Tra qualche minuto sarò in diretta da Palazzo Chigi. Viva l'Italia! Ps Arrivo, arrivo😀
11.10pm GMT11.10pm GMT
23:1023:10
The Northern League’s Matteo Salvini is clearly ecstatic with the No camp’s sweeping victory, writes Stephanie Kirchgaessner in Rome. The xenophobic Salvini clearly saw the victory as part of the right wing’s onward march:The Northern League’s Matteo Salvini is clearly ecstatic with the No camp’s sweeping victory, writes Stephanie Kirchgaessner in Rome. The xenophobic Salvini clearly saw the victory as part of the right wing’s onward march:
Viva Trump, viva Putin, viva la Le Pen e viva la Lega! https://t.co/r8FXztp9AmViva Trump, viva Putin, viva la Le Pen e viva la Lega! https://t.co/r8FXztp9Am
But, explains Stephanie, even if it looks like Renzi was indeed trounced, that does not necessarily mean that every Italian who voted No was voting in favour of Salvini or his brother-in-arms, the M5S’s Beppe Grillo:But, explains Stephanie, even if it looks like Renzi was indeed trounced, that does not necessarily mean that every Italian who voted No was voting in favour of Salvini or his brother-in-arms, the M5S’s Beppe Grillo:
While some saw the plebiscite as a vote of no confidence in the prime minister, others – including those on the left and some within Renzi’s own party – saw the referendum as strictly a question on the topic at hand: whether or not to change the constitution.While some saw the plebiscite as a vote of no confidence in the prime minister, others – including those on the left and some within Renzi’s own party – saw the referendum as strictly a question on the topic at hand: whether or not to change the constitution.
Indeed, some – like a former communist the Guardian chatted with yesterday – voted No precisely because of concerns that rightwing forces were gaining traction. The reforms were seen by these opponents as weakening Italy’s democracy and potentially handing too much power to whoever inhabits the prime minister’s residence at Palazzo Chigi.Indeed, some – like a former communist the Guardian chatted with yesterday – voted No precisely because of concerns that rightwing forces were gaining traction. The reforms were seen by these opponents as weakening Italy’s democracy and potentially handing too much power to whoever inhabits the prime minister’s residence at Palazzo Chigi.
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at 11.13pm GMTat 11.13pm GMT
11.06pm GMT11.06pm GMT
23:0623:06
Having had to commiserate with Norbert Hofer, the losing far-right candidate in Austria’s presidential election, Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s far-right Front National, cheers Matteo Salvini’s far-right Lega Nord – which backed the victorious No camp in Italy’s referendum:Having had to commiserate with Norbert Hofer, the losing far-right candidate in Austria’s presidential election, Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s far-right Front National, cheers Matteo Salvini’s far-right Lega Nord – which backed the victorious No camp in Italy’s referendum:
Bravo à notre ami @matteosalvinimi pour cette victoire du NON ! MLP #referendumcostituzionaleBravo à notre ami @matteosalvinimi pour cette victoire du NON ! MLP #referendumcostituzionale
10.59pm GMT10.59pm GMT
22:5922:59
The Italian interior ministry has a live results page, which you can visit here.The Italian interior ministry has a live results page, which you can visit here.
This is what it looked like almost exactly an hour after the polls closed:This is what it looked like almost exactly an hour after the polls closed:
#italyreferendum : votes being counted, according to the Italian Ministry of Interior: https://t.co/Rzi2TybY38 h/t @woolclip pic.twitter.com/pNJeQ5Vp2m#italyreferendum : votes being counted, according to the Italian Ministry of Interior: https://t.co/Rzi2TybY38 h/t @woolclip pic.twitter.com/pNJeQ5Vp2m
10.48pm GMT10.48pm GMT
22:4822:48
The first projection based on the actual vote count in Italy’s constitutional referendum shows Matteo Renzi may have suffered an even heavier defeat, Reuters reports:The first projection based on the actual vote count in Italy’s constitutional referendum shows Matteo Renzi may have suffered an even heavier defeat, Reuters reports:
The projection by the Piepoli Institute/IPR for state broadcaster RAI estimated those voting ‘Yes’ to back the reform at 39-43%, compared with 57-61% for ‘No’. The projection pointed to an even wider defeat for Renzi than was suggested by three exit polls published immediately after polls closed.The projection by the Piepoli Institute/IPR for state broadcaster RAI estimated those voting ‘Yes’ to back the reform at 39-43%, compared with 57-61% for ‘No’. The projection pointed to an even wider defeat for Renzi than was suggested by three exit polls published immediately after polls closed.
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at 10.59pm GMTat 10.59pm GMT