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Federica Mogherini, the current vice-president of the European Commission, is eyeing up a return to Rome, according to sources close to the Europhile. The European Commission says she is “busy with foreign policy”, but sources claim the ambitious former foreign minister has always kept a close eye on developments in Rome.

GETTY Federicha Mogherini could take power in Italy, leaving Juncker rudderless

The move drastically reduce Mr Juncker’s power as President of the European Commission, as well as European Council President Donald Tusk. Mr Juncker’s close ally Martin Schulz is expected to challenge Angela Merkel for the German Chancellorship and if Ms Mogherini goes too there will be questions raised about how long Donald Tusk and Mr Juncker can continue.

GETTY Federica Mogherini could travel back to Rome to become Italy's next Prime Minister

Ms Mogherini offered minimal support to Mr Renzi as he sought to convince his country to agree to sweeping constitutional reform and a more streamlined approach to politics in Sunday’s referendum. After Renzi’s crushing defeat saw 60 per cent of the public reject his reforms, he resigned, paving the way for Ms Mogherini who has got a sizeable international profile after years spent working as High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Just yesterday the 43-year-old met Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and she has been at the centre of European policy for several years.

GETTY When Martin Schulz and Federicha Mogherini leave then Juncker will be short of friends

Italy is in a difficult position, with numerous banks teetering on the brink of collapse and protesters regularly taking to the streets to demonstrate against the government and the euro. She is a member of the Italian Democratic Party and the Party of European Socialists and would pitch herself directly against Beppe Grillo’s increasingly popular Five Star Movement, which is a populist right wing group which wants Italy to leave the eurozone.

In pictures: Crises that have crippled Italy Thu, November 2, 2017 The European Union has warned that Italy's economy is not improving Play slideshow EPA 1 of 9 November 2016: Florence erupts in violence as anti-Renzi protesters clash with riot cops. Hooded youths attacked lines of cops protecting embattled prime minister Matteo Renzi, who was in the city for crunch political talks.