How long will the EU last?

Matteo Renzi heading for heavy Italian referendum defeat according to exit polls

Here is Reuters’ first take on the predicted heavy defeat for Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi in the referendum on constitutional reforms on which he has staked his political future:

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has suffered a heavy defeat in a referendum over his plan to reform the constitution, according to exit polls.

Renzi has said he would resign if Italians rejected his plan to reduce the role of the upper house Senate and claw back powers from regional authorities. He is due to address the nation at around midnight (2300 GMT).

An exit poll by the Piepoli Institute/IPR for state television station RAI, estimated those voting ‘Yes’ to back the reform at 42-46 percent, compared with 54-58 percent for ‘No’.

Two other polls - by Tecne’ for privately owned TV channel Mediaset, by EMG Acqua for La 7 - gave ‘No’ a similar lead of at least 10 points. Voting ended at 11 p.m.

 

The neo nazi Austrian guy failed to get elected though.

 

Yes I noticed that. I won't bother to post that now though

 

Not sufficiently apocalyptic?

 

You could say that.

 

Breaking Newws: Matteo Renzi to resign as Italian PM - From his speech

 

Mattarella to the rescue

Matteo Renzi will remain in office for at least a week after Italy’s head of state asked the centre-left prime minister to “freeze” his resignation temporarily until the senate passed a 2017 budget.