- Title: Italy referendum result doesn't change its place in Europe, France's Sapin says
- Date: 5th December 2016
- Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (DECEMBER 5, 2016) (REUTERS) METRO ENTRANCE PEOPLE WALKING IN STREET BUS DRIVING PAST PEOPLE WALKING (SOUNDBITE) (French) PASSER-BY, JULIE STONINA, SAYING: "I think it's pretty bad for Italy. I think whatever happens it's a failure when the Italians decide not to keep him in power, it means he has political problems. I think it's a bad thing for the Italian government." (SOUNDBITE) (French) PASSER-BY, ANNE FOSTER, SAYING: "He said he'd do it so he's doing what he said he would, that's to be expected from a politician, I think. They need to stick to their word - this is good. But it's a shame for the Italians that they have slightly fantasist parties." (SOUNDBITE) (French) PASSER-BY, IBRAHIM AMADOU, SAYING: "I think typical politicians aren't able to live up to the expectations of the people and so I think that the people are turning towards easy solutions. They listen to the people who say they've got the answers and I don't think that the populists can find the solution." PEOPLE IN THE STREET
- Embargoed: 20th December 2016 10:00
- Keywords: Italy referendum reaction France Sapin Renzi
- Location: PARIS, FRANCE / BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
- City: PARIS, FRANCE / BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
- Country: France
- Reuters ID: LVA0025BLXQ9Z
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: A defeat for Italy's prime minister in a referendum on constitutional reform will not change the country's place in Europe, France's finance minister said on Monday (December 5), as the anti-euro 5-star movement called for early elections.
Renzi announced he would resign on Monday following the defeat in which "No" won 59.1 percent of the vote, tipping the euro zone's third-largest economy into political turmoil.
"Italy is a strong country, a country attached to the European project and I know this will have no effect on our desire to face up to the difficulties in Europe and to build a more dynamic Europe," French Finance Minister Michel Sapin said arriving at a meeting of European finance ministers in Brussels.
Renzi's resignation could open the door to early elections next year and to the possibility of the opposition 5-Star Movement, gaining power in the heart of the single currency. 5-Star campaigned hard for a 'No' vote.
On the streets of Paris, people saw Renzi's defeat as a bad sign for the neighbouring state.
"Whatever happens it's a failure when the Italians decide not to keep him in power, it means he has political problems. I think it's a bad thing for the Italian government," Paris resident Julie Stonina said.
"It's a shame for the Italians that they have slightly fantasist parties," Anne Foster said.
French President Francois Hollande sent a sympathetic message to Renzi following the result, saluting his "energy in the service of brave reforms for his country". - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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