"No" camp rejoices as exit polls predict resounding Renzi defeat in referendum

Record ID: 75903

  • Title: "No" camp rejoices as exit polls predict resounding Renzi defeat in referendum
  • Date: 5th December 2016
  • Summary: ROME, ITALY (DECEMBER 5, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS "NO" CAMP SUPPORTERS SINGING
  • Embargoed: 20th December 2016 01:05
  • Keywords: Italy Referendum Renzi "NO" victory
  • Location: ROME, ITALY
  • City: ROME, ITALY
  • Country: Italy
  • Reuters ID: LVA0015BLV9S7
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Supporters of the "No" campaign in Italy's constitutional referendum sang and shouted "Ciao" in the early hours of Monday morning (December 5) as early polls showed Prime Minister Matteo Renzi had suffered a crushing defeat.
    Renzi vowed to resign following initial exit polls in a televised address to the nation.
    "For me it is a great feeling. It is a sign that this country can do it," said 'No' supporter Stefania Tucci after polls had closed.
    "A lot of young people have been involved in this campaign and people said it was the older people who didn't want to change, here we have seen the high (voter) turnout which shows the effort of the younger people has been decisive," she said.
    Renzi won a little over 40 percent of the vote in Sunday's referendum following months of campaigning for his reform that he said would have brought political stability to Italy but that opponents said jeopardised vital democratic checks and balances. There was a high voter turnout.
    "Frankly, I believe we have seen a no confidence in Renzi's government and I think this has been the victory of the people, people who have made themselves heard and we have seen with a large turnout that is without precedence over these last years in other administrative elections and the last referendum in April, that people wanted to participate," said 'No' campaign coordinator Martina Carpani.
    Riot police gathered outside the prime minister's office in the early hours of the morning as demonstrators gathered to wave flags.
    "Go home" they chanted just moments after Renzi had said he would resign.
    Renzi's resignation could open the door to early elections next year and to the possibility of an anti-euro party, the opposition 5-Star Movement, gaining power in the heart of the single currency. 5-Star campaigned hard for a 'No' vote.
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