What do we call the Italian vote?

The Italian referendum is dull on the surface and has nothing directly to do with the EU. PM Matteo Renzi wants to change the parliamentary system to curtail the power of the Senate (the upper house). The Italian Govt is retarded. There are 315 Senators and 630 "deputies" (sort of like the US House). And there are a ton of different political parties. All of which adds up to inertia.

But what CBS/Charlie Rose did not tell you on Sunday in 60 Minutes was that, in Renzi's plan, the Senate would also cease to be directly elected (i.e., more Euro-elitism). The significance for the EU is that Renzi has pledged that he would resign if it is defeated. Renzi out means a new Govt. The leading theory is that M5S could win and then they could put EU stuff on the table. Since 2008, Italy's GDP has shrunk by 8% since 2008, youth unemployment is near 40% and Govt debt is among the highest in the world (as measured against GDP). Their big banks are in trouble too. So, a "NO" vote leans towards Brexit/Trump, although is not quite apples to apples since you also have "the establishment" fighting Renzi too (215 senators would be out of a job).

Polling initially was in favor. But lately Berlusconi came out against it (he still holds some sway) and "NO" was pulling ahead. Also, Obama backed Renzi’s plan so this might be the kiss of death too. But there is a very large chunk of undecideds and no polling is allowed the final two weeks.

 
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"No" wins
Somewhat consistent with Brexit/Trump
Could lead to the big things later, we will see
 
Renzi - Quitting
Hollande - Quitting
Cameron - Gone
Obama - Almost Gone!

One to go --
Merkel - ??


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The Italian government on the brink

"Italy’s governing majority can no longer be taken for granted, while polls suggest that elections could bring to power the Five Star movement.

In a vote on Wednesday, the ruling coalition legislators broke ranks in a vote for the head of the Senate’s constitutional affairs committee. The nominee of the ruling coalition was Giorgio Pagliari, but he lost by 11-to-16 votes, which suggests that one in five members of the governing coalition voted against the opposition’s candidate, Salvatore Torrisi.

Torrisi was supported by Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia and the Five-Star Movement....."​

https://www.neweurope.eu/article/italian-government-brink/
 
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