GETTY Matteo Renzi could be ousted by the right-wing prtestors

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Matteo Renzi faces the biggest challenge of his two-and-a-half years in office on December 4 when Italians vote in an upcoming referendum on constitutional reform. The 41-year-old - nicknamed The Demolition Man - has put his political future on the line because of the vote, saying repeatedly that he will resign if he loses.

But despite recently backtracking on the subject, it seems his promises have resonated with some voters who are demanding he step down or face a populist revolt. The referendum next month aims to reduce the role of the Senate and curb the power of the regional governments, in a move the government claims will simplify decision-making and help produce more stable governments.

GETTY The referendum could tear apart the EU

However, critics have indicated that the proposed changes will actually make the political process more complicated and remove some checks and balances. Now the right-wing Northern League, which strongly opposes constitutional reform, have seen their chance to damage the left-leaning politicians reputation and are going for it with all their might. Hundreds of supporters met in Florence, where Renzi was mayor before being appointed PM in 2014, this evening to host a rally adjacent the planned changes. And it seems ousting the Italian Premier is top of their agenda.

GETTY Hundreds of supporters met in Florence for the rally

Rally-goers held up placards pasted with photographs of the Northern League’s leader Matteo Salvini, beaming next to Mr Trump when the two met earlier this year. Others waved banners that said “Salvini for Premier”. Members of smaller political groups were also invited to the event, in what the Italian press called a “Trumpisti” alliance.

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Mr Salvini said: “The lesson provided by Trump and the free vote of the American people is that you can win over everything – the banks, the lobbyists, journalists, even pop stars. “We didn’t ask any pop stars today because we saw what happened in America to the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Madonna and Bon Jovi. We’re just presenting ourselves.” The Italian Right, now led by Salvini instead of Silvio Berlusconi, has much more in common with Donald Trump - supporting opposition to immigration, lower taxes and disdain for the media. Emboldened by Trump’s victory, now Matteo Renzi has been set firmly in their sights - and they hope to win over the public ahead of the referendum and force the leader out of office.

GETTY The 41-year-old - nicknamed The Demolition Man - has put his political future on the line

Salvini added: “Our ideas were seen as being crazy until just recently – taxation at 15 per cent, excise duties on counterfeit Chinese goods, halting uncontrolled immigration. “But now the man who will be the next President of the United States is carrying these ideas forward. Trump has shown with his ideas and his courage that it is possible to win.” Instead it is believed Italy’s anti-European Union party Five Star could be on course to benefit from a Renzi defeat, throwing the country’s status in the EU into chaos. The anti-corruption party, which wants to hold a “consultative referendum” on the euro and victory in the first vote could pave the way for that.

GETTY The protest will be held next month, on December 4