Italy's Position in NATO Unaffected by Failed Constitutional Referendum

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the outcome of the Italian constitutional referendum will not in any way change Italy’s position in NATO.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The outcome of the failed constitutional referendum in Italy will not affect the country’s position in NATO, it will remain a key member, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday.

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 leadership of Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, who ended up resigning.

"The referendum in Italy is part of democratic process. The outcome of the referendum will not in any way change Italy’s position in NATO … Italy plays a key role in many different ways in NATO," Stoltenberg told a press conference.