Merkel disappointed with referendum result in Italy

(Baonghean.vn) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she was very saddened by the defeat of Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi in the referendum on constitutional reform that she supported and said that the Italian people's vote results must be respected.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Photo: Reuters.

"I am very sad that the referendum in Italy did not achieve the result that Prime Minister Matteo Renzi wanted because I have always supported his reform policies. However, this is the decision of the Italian people so we must respect it," Ms. Merkel told reporters in the city of Essen.

Earlier, Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert also said that the German Chancellor regretted Renzi's intention to resign based on the referendum results. Seibert said that Merkel maintained a good relationship with Renzi, especially deep trust.

"The German government will cooperate closely and have friendly relations with the next Italian government, whatever happens," Seibert added at a government press conference.

Seibert declined to comment on the similarities between the Italian referendum results and the Brexit vote in June as well as the US election in which Donald Trump was elected the next president./.

Phuong Thao

(According to Reuters)