Italy PM Renzi resigns, president to consult with parties

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi announced he would resign on Wednesday (Dec 7), three days after suffering a defeat in a referendum on constitutional change. PHOTO: REUTERS
The Italian parliament approved the country's 2017 budget on Wednesday (Dec 7), opening the way for the resignation of Prime Minister Matteo Renzi after his defeat in a referendum on constitutional change. PHOTO: AFP

ROME (REUTERS) - Prime Minister Matteo Renzi tendered his resignation to the head of state on Wednesday (Dec 7) following a weekend referendum in which Italians resoundingly rejected his proposed constitutional reforms.

President Sergio Mattarella asked Renzi to carry on in a caretaker capacity while he holds consultations with the political parties to decide the next steps, a statement from the president's office said.

The consultations will begin on Thursday at 1700 GMT (1am Singapore time) and are due to end on Saturday afternoon.

After the consultations Mattarella is widely expected to ask a member of Renzi's cabinet, or a politician from his Democratic Party to try to form a new government.

Elections are due in 2018 but many politicians are calling for them to be held earlier.

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