Will Italy be Europe’s next casualty as Renzi risks all on referendum?

Writer suggests that the usually politically astute Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi made a big error when he decided to stake his own political career on a referendum in the autumn of 2016 on a proposed reform of the constitution. Much to his chagrin, the vote was beginning to resemble a national election and comment on his government.

Italy's Supreme Court of Cassation (Corte Suprema di Cassazione) decreed on the 8 August 2016 that the constitutional reform referendum could go ahead and must go ahead within sixty days. It would take place in October or early November 2016.

ESO: Background information: Italian banking crisis looms http://www.europeansources.info/record/italian-banking-crisis-looms/

ESO: Key source: Italian constitutional referendum, 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/italian-constitutional-referendum-2016/

Business Insider UK, 06.08.16: The biggest political event in Italian politics in decades is about to get the go ahead http://uk.businessinsider.com/r-italys-highest-court-set-to-approve-referendum-paper-2016-8

The Local.it, 12.07.16: Italy’s referendum is 'not like Brexit': Renzi http://www.thelocal.it/20160712/italys-referendum-is-not-like-brexit-renzi

EurActiv, 06.08.16: Italy’s top court to give green light on referendum for constitutional reform http://www.euractiv.com/section/future-eu/news/italys-top-court-to-give-green-light-on-referendum-for-constitutional-reform/

The Local.it, 08.08.16: Italy’s top court OKs public vote on political overhaul http://www.thelocal.it/20160808/italys-top-court-approves-public-vote-on-political-revamp

EurActiv, 10.08.16: Renzi concedes he made a ‘mistake’ to personalise Italy’s constitutional referendum http://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/renzi-concedes-he-made-a-mistake-to-personalise-italys-constitutional-referendum/

Euro|Topics: Debates: August 2016, Will Renzi survive constitution referendum? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/164303/will-renzi-survive-constitution-referendum

The Local.it, 14.08.16: Italy's Renzi prepares for stormy autumn http://www.thelocal.it/20160814/italys-renzi-prepares-for-stormy-autumn

The Conversation, 15.08.16: Italy’s looming referendum is giving PM Matteo Renzi sleepless nights https://theconversation.com/italys-looming-referendum-is-giving-pm-matteo-renzi-sleepless-nights-63844

The Local.it, 19.08.16: Why discontented Italians could derail their economy http://www.thelocal.it/20160819/why-discontented-italians-could-derail-their-economy

Politico, 22.08.16: Matteo Renzi: no early election after referendum http://www.politico.eu/article/matteo-renzi-no-early-election-after-referendum-2018-poll/

The Local.it, 23.08.16: Merkel backs 'courageous' Renzi over EU budget rules http://www.thelocal.it/20160823/merkel-backs-courageous-italian-pm-over-eu-budget-rules

Deutsche Welle, 17.09.16: Italian PM Renzi says he is tired of wasting time at European summits http://dw.com/p/1K4I8

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