EMBATTLED Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has made a desperate final plea to voters not to punish him in tomorrow's referendum for the sake of their children.
The leader's career is on the line as he has vowed to resign if the vote does not go his way.
Renzi told a rally in his home city of Florence: "[This Sunday] could change the lives of our children."
Pollsters have predicted a 75 per cent win - with the prime minister's failure to reach out to working class suggesting large regions will snub Mr Renzi's plan for constitutional reform.
A "No" vote might see "48 hours of turbulence," according to Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan.
As the nation prepares for a momentous referendum, which could spark an exit from the European Union, Mr Renzi said that he would have no interest in running the country if voters reject the proposed constitutional reform.
If the reform goes through - it will reduce the power of the senate (the equivalent of the House of Lords in the UK) and take back legal power from 20 regional governments.
Those in favour of the change say it will make passing laws easier but those against it say it will centralise power too much.
But many Italians are not voting based on the reforms but on their confidence in Mr Renzi's leadership.
Italy is the eurozone's third-largest economy but most ordinary Italians, particularly those living in the south, still struggle to get by.
The embattled prime minister has proposed tax breaks for companies that create jobs in the south to tackle youth unemployment and stimulate investment, in a last ditch attempt to swing the referendum his way.
European shares fell to a three-week low on Friday as investors were cautious ahead of the vote.
Italy's rules mean that if the vote goes against Mr Renzi, the country's president, Sergio Mattarella, could still ask him to lead a technical government which would have to amend the electoral system before an emergency election next year.
The leader's career is on the line as he has vowed to resign if the vote does not go his way.
Renzi told a rally in his home city of Florence: "[This Sunday] could change the lives of our children."
Pollsters have predicted a 75 per cent win - with the prime minister's failure to reach out to working class suggesting large regions will snub Mr Renzi's plan for constitutional reform.
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| Matteo Renzi is facing defeat tomorrow |
A "No" vote might see "48 hours of turbulence," according to Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan.
As the nation prepares for a momentous referendum, which could spark an exit from the European Union, Mr Renzi said that he would have no interest in running the country if voters reject the proposed constitutional reform.
 |
| Italians want to punish the prime minister for his failed leadership |
If the reform goes through - it will reduce the power of the senate (the equivalent of the House of Lords in the UK) and take back legal power from 20 regional governments.
Those in favour of the change say it will make passing laws easier but those against it say it will centralise power too much.
But many Italians are not voting based on the reforms but on their confidence in Mr Renzi's leadership.
 |
| Italian Prime Minister Matte Renzi is pleading with voters |
Italy is the eurozone's third-largest economy but most ordinary Italians, particularly those living in the south, still struggle to get by.
The embattled prime minister has proposed tax breaks for companies that create jobs in the south to tackle youth unemployment and stimulate investment, in a last ditch attempt to swing the referendum his way.
 |
European shares fell to a three-week low on Friday as investors were cautious ahead of the vote.
Italy's rules mean that if the vote goes against Mr Renzi, the country's president, Sergio Mattarella, could still ask him to lead a technical government which would have to amend the electoral system before an emergency election next year.
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