Renzi courts trouble as Italy votes on constitutional reform

Italians are voting in a referendum on changes to the Constitution. Italians Vote in Referendum on Reform — and Renzi https://t.co/RMaCZbRkfr pic.twitter.com/jNlkN4rfBh— The Voice of America (@VOANews) December 4, 2016 The ballot, called by Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, aims to reduce the number of seats in the Senate from 315 to 100. Renzi wants to speed up the legislation process. He said he would resign if his ‘yes’ campaign is defeated. Opinion polls suggest he is in trouble the ‘no’ camp is led by the popular and charismatic leader of the Five Star Movement Beppe Grillo. #IoDicoNo pic.twitter.com/EiXVjg333d— Beppe Grillo (@beppe_grillo) December 2, 2016 Anti-establishment parties will receive a boost with a ‘no’ vote, not only the Five Star Movement, but also the far-right Northern League. ⭐️ #World • Italian rightwing politician visits Moscow: The leader of Italy’s right-wing, anti-EU Northern League… https://t.co/ZCPn0LCoWW pic.twitter.com/jTrDzDEOLS— Kazi UK™  (@Kazi_UK) November 18, 2016 If ‘no’ wins then Grillo will feel empowered to call for a referendum on whether Italy should stay in the euro. If that is the case then the EU faces a potential crisis within the euro area and in Italy, the zone’s third largest economy. The recent surge in populist politics has EU leaders on the back foot as pressure to dismantle the European dream grows.