(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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