Italy passes 2017 budget, paving way for PM Renzi's resignation

ROME (Reuters) - The Italian parliament on Wednesday gave its final approval to the government's 2017 budget, paving the way for Prime Minister Matteo Renzi to hand in his resignation. Renzi said he would quit following his crushing defeat in Sunday's referendum when Italians rejected his proposed reforms to the constitution, but the head of state Sergio Mattarella told him to delay his resignation until the budget was passed. The upper house Senate approved the budget in a vote of confidence, with 173 votes in favour and 108 against. Renzi is expected to tender his resignation to Mattarella by the end of this week, and possibly later on Wednesday. (Reporting by Giuseppe Fonte, writing by Gavin Jones)