Renzi, leader of the centre-left Democratic party, is also keen for an early election in which he may perform better than the ballot scheduled for Spring 2018. ?The consensus among political players is to have an election in spring 2018; there is no appetite for an early vote other than from Renzi,? he said. Italy?s highest court has opened the way for early elections in 2017 after favouring a form of proportional representation in a ruling that could bolster former prime minister Matteo Renzi?s chances of making a comeback. He said the referendum defeat hurt, but stressed that the blog was a way to ?walk towards the future?. The law had been a cornerstone of Renzi?s broader reform plan and one he hoped would end decades of political instability.

During the 1970s, 80s and 90s, the west African part of the continent had a poor reputation. Time was when the most exclusive club in the world was the African heads of state club. But not today, with so many West African presidents being former opposition leaders themselves. A few years ago, Mr Jammeh might have been able to bluff his way through it and hold onto power. It would appear from the joint statement issued by the UN, AU and Ecowas that Mr Jammeh was promised immunity from prosecution in return for leaving.

The group, which brings together France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus and Malta, was reminded this week of their economic vulnerabilities as bond yields surged to one-year highs in Italy, Portugal and France. LISBON Southern European leaders meet on Saturday in Lisbon to discuss growing challenges, from the refugee crisis to rising borrowing costs and low economic growth, at a time when rising populism has increased political uncertainty in Europe. Greece, Italy and Portugal have the biggest debt loads in Europe. At the first meeting of the group in September in Athens, the group called for European measures to boost flagging growth. "But there will be little progress on these issues because of elections in France and probably Italy," he said.