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MILAN (AP) — Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi says he expects a constitutional referendum being put to voters next month to pass, but says he will "verify the political situation," if it fails.
Renzi has for months been trying to backtrack on a statement staking his political future on the success of the Dec. 4 referendum.
But opposition politicians have taken him up on the challenge and are vowing to press for a new government if voters reject the proposed changes to the country's lawmaking system.
Polls suggest the results will be close.
Renzi told a press conference in Rome on Friday that his government was founded on the pledge to reform institutions "and I think in the deep heart of the country there is an extraordinary desire to change."
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