Renzi urges early general election

(ANSA) - Rome, December 6 - Sources said Tuesday that resigning Premier Matteo Renzi has reportedly called for snap elections based on whatever electoral law results from a Constitutional Court ruling on the Italicum, which is expected sometime in January. The current legislature ends in 2018, but elections could be held as early as February 2017 if an electoral law is in place. Last night the center-left premier agreed on the urging of President Sergio Mattarella to hold off on formalizing his resignation until the 2017 budget bill clears the Senate, which is expected to happen this week. Renzi is slated to meet with the executive of his Democratic Party (PD) on Wednesday. Interior Minister Angelino Alfano of the small New Center Right (NCD) party), a junior member of Renzi's ruling coalition, has also called for a general election to be held in February.