Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has resigned after suffering a heavy defeat in a referendum over his plan to reform the constitution.

In a late-night news conference, he said he took responsibility for the outcome. He said the No camp must now make clear proposals, reports the BBC.

An exit poll for state broadcaster RAI suggests 42-46 percent voted to back reform, compared with 54-58 percent voting No.

The first projections based on the official count point to a wider defeat.

Early indications have the Yes vote at 39-43 percent and the No at 57-61 percent.

“Good luck to us all,” Renzi told reporters. He said he would tell a Cabinet meeting on Monday afternoon that he was resigning, and then tender his resignation to the Italian president after two-and-a-half years in office.

The president is expected to ask him to stay on at least until parliament passes a budget bill later this month.

BDST: 0848 HRS, DEC 05, 2016
SR