If you’re taking part in Italy’s vote to reform the political system, we’d like to hear from you

Italians will vote on constitutional reforms to the country’s political system on Sunday, in a vote some see as the next big anti-establishment threat after the US presidential election and the UK’s EU vote.

The reforms, proposed by prime minister Matteo Renzi, aim to streamline and reduce the powers of the Senate, including making the country’s 20 regional governments less influential. Renzi says that by trimming the political system the country’s economy would be given a much needed boost.

Italian referendum worries grip stock markets – business live Read more

Renzi has promised to step down as prime minister if he loses the referendum, which has seen the no vote morph into a vote against his leadership. The Five-Star Movement, founded seven years ago by comedian Beppe Grillo, is now the main opposition in Italy and it is campaigning hard against him. The movement finds support among right and left through its tough stance on immigration and devotion to direct democracy and the environment.

During his two years in office, Renzi has made himself hugely unpopular with the left by implementing two reforms. The liberalising Jobs Act intended to free up the country’s labour market, but not only has it failed to improve permanent employment it has given employers too much power. The educational reform package gave new powers to headteachers, and proved widely unpopular among teachers.

A banking meltdown is a strong possibility if there’s a no vote. Up to eight Italian banks could fail, as Renzi’s bank bailout programme would likely to be scrapped if he resigns. One-fifth of loans in the banking system are categorised as troubled. Further ahead, if Five Star movement becomes the government Grillo has promised a referendum on leaving the Euro. This could plummet Italy into the centre of a Eurozone crisis.

If you’re voting in the referendum we’d like you to share your thoughts. You can fill in the form below – anonymously if you prefer – and we’ll use a selection of responses in our reporting.