Decision on early Italian elections up to PM Gentiloni - Renzi

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi speaks during a media conference after a referendum on constitutional reform at Chigi palace in Rome, Italy, December 5, 2016. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi

MILAN (Reuters) - Former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said on Sunday it is up to his successor to decide whether Italy should hold its next national election before the natural end of the current legislature early next year.

"The elections are envisaged in February 2018. Fullstop. If (Prime Minister Paolo) Gentiloni wants to vote before, it's up to him to decide, not others," Renzi said during a talk show on state TV channel Rai3.