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Renzi Vows to Resign After Constitutional Referendum Failure

© REUTERS / Stefano RellandiniItalian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi leads a news conference to mark his 1000 days in government in Rome, Italy, November 18, 2016
Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi leads a news conference to mark his 1000 days in government in Rome, Italy, November 18, 2016 - Sputnik International
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Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi on Monday said he will resign later in the day amid exit polls showing the failure of the country's constitutional referendum.

Italian Premier Matteo Renzi - Sputnik International
Majority of Italians Reject Constitutional Reforms in Referendum - Exit Polls
ROME (Sputnik) — On Sunday, Italians voted on whether the national constitution should be amended to curtail Senate powers and speed up the lawmaking process. The referendum was widely seen as a test of Renzi's leadership and a number of opposition leaders called for the prime minister's resignation as exit polls showed a decisive rejection of the reforms by voters.

"Tomorrow I will gather the Council of Ministers and I will go to the Quirinal Palace to resign," Renzi said at a press conference.

The latest exit polls showed that almost 60 percent of voters opposed constitutional changes with around 45 percent in favor.

Renzi called the referendum a great celebration of democracy and reassured his fellow reform supporters by taking responsibility for the defeat.

"I failed in bringing about a victory, but I did everything I could during this time. And I take full responsibility for the defeat," he said.

Renzi previously vowed to step down if the vote is negative. Italy's anti-establishment Five Star Movement has been campaigning against prime minister’s constitutional reforms.

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