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Matteo Renzi to resubmit resignation as Italy's prime minister 'Thanks to all and long live Italy' – PM Matteo Renzi tenders resignation again
(35 minutes later)
Matteo Renzi will formally submit his resignation on Wednesday evening, nearly three years after he became Italy’s youngest ever prime minister.Matteo Renzi will formally submit his resignation on Wednesday evening, nearly three years after he became Italy’s youngest ever prime minister.
Renzi will deliver his resignation to Sergio Mattarella, Italy’s president, two days after he attempted to quit following a resounding defeat in Sunday’s referendum on constitutional reform.Renzi will deliver his resignation to Sergio Mattarella, Italy’s president, two days after he attempted to quit following a resounding defeat in Sunday’s referendum on constitutional reform.
On Monday, Mattarella asked the prime minister to stay in office to oversee the final passage of the 2017 budget, which was passed on Wednesday, laying the groundwork for Renzi’s final resignation.On Monday, Mattarella asked the prime minister to stay in office to oversee the final passage of the 2017 budget, which was passed on Wednesday, laying the groundwork for Renzi’s final resignation.
An avid fan of social media, Renzi, who is due to speak to his Democratic party (PD) later on Wednesday, confirmed the news on Twitter, writing: “Budget law passed. Formal resignation at 7pm. Thanks to all and long live Italy.”An avid fan of social media, Renzi, who is due to speak to his Democratic party (PD) later on Wednesday, confirmed the news on Twitter, writing: “Budget law passed. Formal resignation at 7pm. Thanks to all and long live Italy.”
Legge di bilancio approvata. Alle 19 le dimissioni formali. Grazie a tutti e viva l'Italiahttps://t.co/PLsLxcrPGSLegge di bilancio approvata. Alle 19 le dimissioni formali. Grazie a tutti e viva l'Italiahttps://t.co/PLsLxcrPGS
His departure was set in motion when it became clear that nearly 60% of Italians had voted to reject the sweeping changes to Italy’s constitution and parliamentary system that were backed by the outgoing prime minister. The resounding defeat was not only seen as a rejection of the reforms, but as a vote of no confidence in Renzi, who said he would step down if the vote went against him.His departure was set in motion when it became clear that nearly 60% of Italians had voted to reject the sweeping changes to Italy’s constitution and parliamentary system that were backed by the outgoing prime minister. The resounding defeat was not only seen as a rejection of the reforms, but as a vote of no confidence in Renzi, who said he would step down if the vote went against him.
The formal resignation will free Mattarella, who has the power to dissolve parliament and name prime ministers, to begin talks with the leaders of Italy’s biggest political parties – including the PD, conservative Forza Italia, the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, and the anti-immigrant Northern League – who will have to agree on an interim government and prime minister.The formal resignation will free Mattarella, who has the power to dissolve parliament and name prime ministers, to begin talks with the leaders of Italy’s biggest political parties – including the PD, conservative Forza Italia, the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, and the anti-immigrant Northern League – who will have to agree on an interim government and prime minister.
But the real news on Wednesday is likely to come from the Democratic party headquarters. In a meeting that will be broadcast online and on TV Renzi will speak publicly for the first time about the next steps for the party, and his own strategy. One of the biggest questions is whether he can still command the loyalty of a majority of his party after Sunday’s rout. The meeting could offer some hints.But the real news on Wednesday is likely to come from the Democratic party headquarters. In a meeting that will be broadcast online and on TV Renzi will speak publicly for the first time about the next steps for the party, and his own strategy. One of the biggest questions is whether he can still command the loyalty of a majority of his party after Sunday’s rout. The meeting could offer some hints.
Meanwhile, the interim government, likely to be installed in the next few days if an agreement can be reached, is expected to deal with the primary task of amending an electoral law that needs to be changed following the referendum. Once that task is completed, Renzi and his closest aides have suggested they want to call a new election instead of waiting until February 2018, the end of the parliamentary session.Meanwhile, the interim government, likely to be installed in the next few days if an agreement can be reached, is expected to deal with the primary task of amending an electoral law that needs to be changed following the referendum. Once that task is completed, Renzi and his closest aides have suggested they want to call a new election instead of waiting until February 2018, the end of the parliamentary session.
Giovanni Orsina, a professor of Italian politics at LUISS University in Rome, said the biggest question now was whether the developments of the next few days would go according to Renzi’s wishes and demands.Giovanni Orsina, a professor of Italian politics at LUISS University in Rome, said the biggest question now was whether the developments of the next few days would go according to Renzi’s wishes and demands.
If Renzi got his way, Orsina said, the interim prime minister would be someone he trusts to stay in office until the electoral law is amended – someone who would then resign to open the door to elections.If Renzi got his way, Orsina said, the interim prime minister would be someone he trusts to stay in office until the electoral law is amended – someone who would then resign to open the door to elections.
Renzi’s preferred candidates for the job are widely believed to be Pier Carlo Padoan, his finance minister, Paolo Gentiloni, his foreign minister, or Graziano Delrio, the infrastructure minister.Renzi’s preferred candidates for the job are widely believed to be Pier Carlo Padoan, his finance minister, Paolo Gentiloni, his foreign minister, or Graziano Delrio, the infrastructure minister.
Orsina added: “The real issue is, are we going to have a government that Renzi controls to the extent that he may ask the prime minister to resign in the right moment? Or will he have to accept a prime minister that is not under his full control?”Orsina added: “The real issue is, are we going to have a government that Renzi controls to the extent that he may ask the prime minister to resign in the right moment? Or will he have to accept a prime minister that is not under his full control?”