Italy president asks PM Renzi to delay resignation for budget

Italian President Sergio Mattarella on Tuesday asked outgoing Prime Minister Matteo Renzi to delay his resignation for long enough to oversee the adoption of the country’s 2017 budget.

The presidential office confirmed the move after Renzi went to see Mattarella after announcing his intention to step down following a crushing defeat in a referendum on constitutional changes.

“The prime minister, following the outcome of the constitutional referendum held on Monday, announced that he could not continue with the mandate of the government and has therefore expressed his intention to resign,” a statement said. 

The approval of the budget is expected to be completed by the end of the week, according to Italian media.