Photo Gallery An Unnecessary Act
On Dec. 4, Italians will go to the polls in a referendum that would provide greater power to the prime minister than he has ever enjoyed before. The momentum is currently moving against the referendum. Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has said he will resign if voters reject the reforms.
Protesters march in Italy with a banner that reads, "Let's oust Renzi." The prime minister has argued that the constitutional reforms would streamline government and make it easier to pass laws. Although Renzi's anti-Brussels rhetoric in recent months has been a thorn in the side of other EU leaders, he is nevertheless viewed in Berlin as being far more effective than predecessor Silvio Berlusconi.
Leaders across Europe worry that if a "no" vote prevails, the government might collapse and its successor could even hold a referendum on future euro membership in the heavily indebted country. Many argue that if Italy left the common currency it would spell the end of the euro and very possibly even the whole European Union.
Among the most vocal opponents of the constitutional reform referendum is Beppe Grillo, founder of the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, who is pictured here with Rome Mayor Virginia Raggi at a march in support of the "no" vote.
As he has pursued voter support, Renzi (left) has also alienated himself with other European leaders in Brussels, including French President François Hollande (center) and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker (right). Some view Renzi's decision to tie his political future to the referendum as an act of hubris.
Despite his rants against the EU, other European leaders have largely tolerated Renzi's outbursts. In times of Brexit, Europe needs strong allies. During a visit to Italy and Matteo Renzi following this summer's earthquake, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose dislike of canines is widely known, even tolerated the presence of a police dog who saved a child's life.
A Ferrari car is parked in front of the Milan stock market in January on the day the company made its debut on the markets. Experts at the European Stability Mechanism, the euro backstop, have said that Italy is "too big to fail" and "systematically relevant." As such, the Italian patient must be kept on life support.
Daniel Dal Zennaro/ AP/dpa
Although their has been annoyance in Germany over Renzi's outbursts against Berlin and Brussels, most hope he wins the referendum. Sources close to Merkel say, "we want to continue working with him. He has achieved more than all of his predecessors." One senior Chancellery official says that while Renzi is irritating when it comes to Russia sanctions and deficit rules, it is also clear "he does more good than bad."
