Italians reject massive changes to constitution

Italians have soundly rejected massive changes to the country’s post-war constitution that proponents had argued would increase political stability and modernise the country.

The results at the end of the two-day vote marked a victory for the centre-left government of Romano Prodi, who had said change was necessary but opposed the reforms as giving too much power to the executive. Final results showed that 61.7% voted against the reforms, while 38.3% approved them.