Italians explain how the referendum on political reform has morphed into a battle between populist forces and the status quo

Italians will vote on a series of changes to the country’s political system on Sunday, in a vote that could have far-reaching implications for the country’s politicians, banking sector and future in the Eurozone. But what began as a vote on whether to simplify the country’s elaborate political system has, for many, morphed into a complicated decision over who governs the country.

According to Italian voters who responded to a Guardian callout, prime minister Matteo Renzi’s leadership is under close scrutiny. If Italians vote against Renzi’s reforms, the prime minister has said he will resign – a promise that is proving too enticing for some.

“Renzi is unelected. He promotes banking and politicians’ interests while people drown in debt and unemployment. There are a lot of nice words about cutting expenses and speeding up a slow legislation but it’s just a smokescreen,” says Marco, one of the 3 million unemployed people in the country.

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Renzi says the reforms will streamline the country’s elaborate political structure and speed up decision making by abolishing bicameralism – a system with two chambers in parliament, each holding equal power. But given the reforms will also abolish elected senators and remove power from the country’s 20 regional governments, Marco says a yes vote does nothing but strip even more power from the Italian people.

“I don’t care what people call no voters: populists, communists. We’re just trying to save the little still left to save on a sinking ship. I can’t account for nothing good done by Renzi, apart from serving the system and himself,” he says.

The Five Star Movement (M5S), which Marco supports, was founded seven years ago by comedian Beppe Grillo. It attracts both rightwing voters through its stance on immigration and leftwingers through its devotion to the environment and political accountability, and is now the country’s main opposition. It is campaigning hard against Renzi.

Francesca, 27, who is unemployed and lives in Bologna, has supported M5S in the past and sympathises with their cause. But this time she will vote against the party’s position, for the stability of the country.

“I am not 100% sold on this reform, but … if this referendum fails, the government will have to resign, and we don’t need the instability, especially not after Brexit, Trump’s victory, and the rise of fascist parties in all of Europe” she says.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest A man holds a banner reading ‘I say no’ during a march. In the final polls released before a pre-vote blackout, the campaign to reject Renzi’s reforms had a five-point lead. Photograph: Alessandro Bianchi/Reuters

Voters like Paolo Scorroto, a public sector worker living in Ireland, find themselves torn. He does not approve of Renzi but, like Francesca, says a yes vote would improve stability and entice foreign investors.



“Renzi has not been as good or done as much as he should and has lost credibility as part of a political elite. This is why so many will vote against him. But I fear Italy could get deeper into debt and face a Greek-style crisis.

“I am tired of the constant changes of government in Italy and even if it means giving more power to the executive and fewer numbers in the senate I think it is a price worth paying to have stable government,” he says.

A no vote could trigger an early election and M5S – who are ahead in opinion polling – could make significant gains. And current policy, written by Renzi’s government, says the winning party would receive an automatic majority of seats in parliament in future elections.



M5S, as well as the rightwing Lega Nord, have promised a referendum on leaving the euro. For those angry over the economy and immigration, a no vote could push the country towards a eurozone referendum.



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Elena, 39, who describes herself as leftwing, worries about the future of Italy if a no vote wins. She says Renzi is not her ideal candidate and could do better, but that the other politicians scrambling for power are unfit to run the country.



“The risk that Grillo or Salvini [leader of Lega Nord], or even worse Meloni [leader of the Eurosceptic party Brothers of Italy] will be in charge of our country is far too worrying than having Renzi. [M5S] plays an important role in society … However it has gone too far … [Grillo] is far too vulgar and rude in his debates. He cannot represent a country, especially at an international level,” she says.

Renzi has been accused by others on the left of implementing a rightwing agenda. The liberalising Jobs Act failed to improve permanent employment and curtailed workers’ rights, and his educational reforms stripped power away from teachers. Lorenzo Conti, 28, a journalist from southern Italy who has previously voted for Renzi’s party, is voting no as he is fearful that the left is being slowly eroded.



“I have always been a socialist democrat … but now, the world has drifted so much to the right, and this is so dangerous for the very survival of our societies … more radical solutions are needed.

“The Five Star Movement are a dangerous bunch of political clowns. Some of their positions are borderline fascism. Two years ago, I would have never considered even the possibility of voting for them. But if Renzi stays in power the left will disappear from Italy altogether, and this is the greatest danger,” he says.

As Italians head to the polls, many are still undecided. Software developer Luca, 52, who lives just outside Milan, is one of the conflicted. Although he is edging towards a yes vote, and dislikes the country’s populist forces, he has little hope that any outcome will improve the country.

“Renzi made a lot of mistakes proposing a reform that divided Italians and his own party. This is bad constitutional reform, but it is a reform anyway. And Italy needs it.

“Just after Renzi became our prime minister, a German friend asked me what were my expectations about him. I answered that I didn’t trust him too much but that he was our last hope,” he says.

“After the mess he made, I don’t trust him anymore. There is just no hope left for Italy.”