INTERNATIONAL - Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, Monday (05/12/2016) morning local time, announced his resignation from office.
Renzi decided to resign after his government lost a referendum that was held to carry out the constitutional reform.
"My journey ends here in the government," Renzi said in a press conference shortly after the government confirmed lost the referendum.
Renzi said he immediately to President Sergio Mattarella to hand in his resignation after a cabinet meeting held last.
President Matarella then be in charge of forming a new government, and if he does not succeed then the president will hold elections sooner.
Some analysts said the most likely scenario is the appointment of an acting prime minister to replace Renzi.
The acting prime minister would run the government until the convening of a general election in spring 2018.
Finance Minister Pier Carlo Padoan a strong candidate to replace Renzi as president of the council of ministers, the official designation for the prime minister of Italy.
The interior ministry estimates stronghold "No" led by the populist Five Star Movement party, won the referendum with 59.5 scooped sound support.