Prime Ministers of New Zealand and Italy quit

The Prime Ministers of both New Zealand and Italy resigned their posts over the weekend.
John Key stunned New Zealanders on Monday (05Dec16) when he announced he was resigning after eight years as leader, while Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi vowed to resign after suffering a crushing defeat on Sunday (04Dec16) in a referendum on constitutional reform.
Key confessed his role as the country’s leader had taken a toll on his marriage and family in a speech to the nation, during which he also revealed his National Party leaders would meet on 12 December (16) to decide on a new Prime Minister.
In his emotional address, Key said he would back his deputy Bill English for the role.
Key won his first general election to become Prime Minister in 2008 and was re-elected in 2011 and 2014; he was a clear favourite to win again next year (17).
“Simply put, it has, for me, been the most remarkable, satisfying and exciting time of my life,” he said in his emotional speech, “but, despite the amazing career I have had in politics, I have never seen myself as a career politician. I have certainly never wanted my success in politics to be measured by how long I spent in Parliament.
“For my wife Bronagh, there have been many nights and weekends spent alone, many occasions that were important to her that I simply could not attend. My daughter Stephie and my son Max have transitioned from teenagers to young adults while coping with an extraordinary level of intrusion and pressure because of their father’s job.”
He added, “All I can say is that I gave it everything I had. I have left nothing in the tank.”
Meanwhile, in Rome, Renzi quit after just two-and-a-half years in office.
In a televised address to the nation on Sunday, he said, “I take full responsibility for the (referendum) defeat.”
Renzi, who led Italy’s Democratic Party, plans to hand in his formal resignation to President Sergio Mattarella on Monday.
He took office in 2014.