Italian Referendum Result: A Headache for Rome, or for Brussels?

... reforms but would also have substantially strengthened Rome’s position in the European Union — especially in the context of growing social and political instability... ... countries. The prime minister had already claimed that a favourable outcome to the referendum would mean “Italy would become the leader in Europe”. He also... ... breathing a sigh of relief — there is no threat to German leadership in Europe. Matteo Renzi has lost one of the most important political fights of his life; this was...