(supersedes previous)President Sergio Mattarella said Monday institutions must stick to their deadlines and commitments in the aftermath of the announced resignation of Premier Matteo Renzi. "Institutions must ensure the deadlines and commitments we face are respected, guaranteeing responses that are commensurate with the current issues," said Italy's president. Mattarella urged parties and politicians to ensure "a climate of serenity and mutual respect" and that "the high turnout in yesterday's referendum is a testament to a solid democracy (and) an impassioned country capable of active participation". Renzi said late last night he will hand in his resignation to Mattarella after the resounding victory of the No vote in Sunday's referendum on constitutional reform.
The outgoing premier told a news conference he took "all the responsibility" after his government's reform was rejected by close to 60% of voters. The Italian people had spoken "in a clear, unequivocal way" he said. "We took this reform to the vote, we weren't convincing, but we leave with no regrets," Renzi told a midnight press conference.
"As was clear from the start, my experience in government ends here... I'm proud of the opportunity government has given citizens to express themselves on the reform. Many people have come closer to the Constitution (as a result)." Renzi went to the Quirinal presidential palace this morning, where he spent over an hour in talks with Mattarella, sources within the ruling majority said.
One of the possible outcomes is that Mattarella will give someone a mandate to form a caretaker government to pass the budget bill and a new electoral law.
Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan, Culture Minister Dario Franceschini and Senate Speaker Pietro Grasso have been mentioned as possible heads of a caretaker government. Reform Minister Maria Elena Boschi said the government would work "to serve institutions" and pass its budget bill. "Pity. We had imagined waking up to something different: simplified institutions in Italy, a stronger country in Europe," Boschi wrote on her Facebook page. "It didn't go that way. The No vote won, full stop. Now to work to serve the institutions. We'll secure this budget bill.
Then we'll publish a summary of the many things this government has done. To all the committees, to all the friends that gave us a hand, thank you. We'll decide together how to start again, once the disappointment is over. A hug".
Cabinet meets at 18:30 tonight.
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