PES president Sergei Stanishev said:
“With an impressive turnout of 65% the Italian people have voted and we respect it, although we heavily regret the outcome because we think Italy would be a stronger player with a more efficient institutional framework.
“That is what PM Renzi wanted to achieve and we praise him for that.
“We will continue to support our Italian member parties Partito Democratico and Partito Socialista Italiano in their progressive, reformist agenda to shape the future of Italy.”