Advertisement

Renzi admits 'mistake' to bet leadership on crucial vote

The Local Italy
The Local Italy - [email protected]
Renzi admits 'mistake' to bet leadership on crucial vote
Renzi says the reform law would save Italy €500 million. Photo: Andreas Solaro/AFP

Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has admitted he was wrong to stake his leadership on the pivotal referendum on constitutional reform, while adding that the changes would save the government €500 million.

Advertisement

Renzi promised to resign if the public didn’t support the overhaul of Italy’s political system, which is intended to significantly reduce the number of lawmakers, allow laws to get passed quickly and stabilize future governments.

But if the vote goes against Renzi, and he keeps to his word of stepping down, then experts say it could have a more detrimental impact on the EU than Brexit.

Read more: Why Italy might be the next big threat to the EU's future

"I made a mistake by personalizing it too much," he said at an event in the northern Italy city of Modena on Tuesday. "Italians need to know that this is not one person's reform, but a reform that will help Italy."

He also said that if the reform passes, then the government would be able to put the €500 million saved by cutting down on the number of lawmakers into the anti-poverty fund.

“How great it would be to put the savings towards our fellow citizens who struggle to make ends meet,” he said.

The referendum was given the go-ahead by the Court of Cassation on Monday. Renzi now has 60 days to set a date for the vote, which is likely to be held between October and December.

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also