The wave of popular anger washing over Europe has claimed yet another victim. Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has announced his resignation after 60% of voters rejected his plans for constitutional reform in a national referendum over the weekend, with turnout over 70%. Analysts warn that the result could plunge Italy into a political crisis (not to mention a banking crisis, as several Italian financial institutions are currently on the brink of insolvency).
The populist firebrand leader of the Five Star Movement, Beppe Grillo, and the head of the anti-immigrant Northern League, Matteo Salvini, are both pushing pushing for fresh elections. However, it’s still unclear whether Italy’s president, Sergio Mattarella, will call early elections, or whether a government can be cobbled together from a coalition of mainstream political parties.
EU leaders will be breathing a sigh of relief, however, because Austrian voters convincingly rejected a far-right candidate in presidential elections held on the same day as the Italian referendum. Nevertheless, there will be concern in EU capitals that political instability in Italy could lead to a broader crisis across the European Union.
Will the result of Italy’s referendum plunge Europe into crisis? Was Matteo Renzi right to promise to resign if he lost the referendum? Let us know your thoughts and comments in the form below, and we’ll take them to policymakers and experts for their reactions!
81 comments Post a commentcomment
The uncontrolled & unbridled illegal immigration also will lead to a deep crisis in Europe!
don’t worry… the corrupted ones who lead such scandal are defeated right now!
I hope no but i think it could…
I had no idea that the EU wasn’t in a crisis in the first place…
It’s called denial ;) is been happening for quite some time throughout the EU institutions…
EU needs to change its bad policies. Also stop with political correctness, and identity politics. It should put safety and well being of its people first. Then and only then EU might survive and prosper
Very well said!
No, UE is in crisis because of other reasons: economy, immigration, human rights respect. Just to explain some reasons.
I don’t think so… but doesn’t EU ever wonders why so many crisis? do its beaurocrats ever ask themselves if there’s something wrong with their policies?
It doesn’t seem so. They seem to think something’s wrong with the ppl who don’t want them.
Bódis Kata I’ve noticed it… they live in a different universe…
Roberto Yaw Berlen
the chicken is the future. #aua
Which country’s next with the referendum, might as well call it for the whole of EU 😂
If it does, then the EU is indeed in a very bad shape and we should be asking how it got there >> take the lessons learned, never to repeat the same mistakes.
economically yes. We all know after that comes the rest.
You must split in two such question!!! do you mean the bank lobbies who will go into crisis?? …or you are asking about the European policies which are slaves of banks???
Europe is in crisis because of the politicians ruling it not because People chose not accept their willingness to ignore common citizens aspirations. Deal with it!
No. Referenduns in EU are accepted only if they confirm and validate what the EU leadership wants. Ask Mr Schauble or the Eurogroup if they are worried. Within a year nobody will remind this subject and the media will have enough time to explain and doctrinate italian people.
Like the referendum in Britian on 23rd June 2016?
Like the referendum in Britian on 23rd June 2016?
Tina Davey Butcher yes. Just wait.
@Tina Davey Butcher
Correct!
Watch the UK cherry-pick – at first there will be great resistance from France, but as the EU dwindles, the UK’s cherries will get bigger and bigger…
Wishful thinking. Theresa May is becoming more and more ignored by EU officials. It is all a joke, all EU countries including the UK will have to pay for!
Europe is in crisis, Rentzi is just another form of it like our Boiko Borisov in Bulgaria.Reforms are neede but if there is a pisitive answer from the people, politicians do not want them.If referendum does not succede the politicians do not accept and quit.It is a serious problem.But I am still optimistic,hard times breed hard men who get things done. ;)
You`re mixing up Europe and the EU
Europe is an beautiful continent, and has survived all kind of political mindness and mistakes, and will survive the EU for sure!!!
Is everything in life about money?it’s not a matter of good or bad, right or wrong it’s the will of the people and must be respected that is what we call “democracy “,anyway seeing what happened in uk and now in Italy, am getting really angry with the Greek politicians… We voted for “no” but they still behave like we voted “yes “..
If you didn’t get it yet – Europe is in crisis since Juncker come… maybe even since the middle of Barroso mandate!
It is hopeless!
Not really. Italy changes governments like other people change their socks.
A bit like the UK then ;)
No, at least the UK keeps their governments for a few years. David Cameron did resign after the referendum, but the government didn’t change (although a lot of people wished it had).
ma a noi non c’è stato chiesto di cambiare governo ma di cambiare la nostra Costituzione . Il mandato di Renzi era impostato su questo .
ma a noi non c’è stato chiesto di cambiare governo ma di cambiare la nostra Costituzione . Il mandato di Renzi era impostato su questo .
Hugely overreacted. Italy has had 3 governments that I can remember during most of Eurocrisis. This is mostly post-Brexit anxiety and media exhageration now
europe and european politicians sould start to be more democratic and respect peoples votes
Good luck with that…
yes it will more then ever the 5 star movement is going to win the next election and italy will be out of the UE who can´t see that is really dreaming. But more is about to come in Europe
I think EU is already in crisis of other reasons, like immigration and economy. But I don’t doubt that EU is strong enough to overcome the present crisis soon!
It will plunge Italy into a deeper economic descent.
nella UE ci siamo già nella discesa profonda e non è stata l’Italia a far precipitare . Noi possiamo solo rialzarci
nella UE ci siamo già nella discesa profonda e non è stata l’Italia a far precipitare . Noi possiamo solo rialzarci
Seriously, no
No, it will not!
The constitutional changes supported by Renzi were not going to fix anything.
No, and I am glad the people did not accept them, but depends what happens now and who will be in power. We could have done without all the unnecessary turmoil. He also had no right to try and bring these when he himself was not elected
Josephine Cassar è vero che Renzi non è passato per le urne ma aveva il mandato del governo Bersani e il Presidente della Repubblica Napolitano gli ha ato l’incarico perchè la maggioranza ci stava. Tutto regolare . Il problema non è nel suo mandato o nella nostra Costituzione
Josephine Cassar è vero che Renzi non è passato per le urne ma aveva il mandato del governo Bersani e il Presidente della Repubblica Napolitano gli ha dato l’incarico perchè la maggioranza in Parlamento ci stava. Tutto regolare . Il problema non è nel suo mandato o nella nostra Costituzione
No, next question.
It’s been a long time coming
Let our constitution remain the same means crisis, but allowing non elected leader to make laws and change our governative system it’s all right ?
Let our constitution remain the same means crisis, but allowing non elected leader to make laws and change our governative system it’s all right ?
.
The Eu as been in crisis for years but Brussels will ignore the result & carry on regardless just as they always do, right up to the point were the EU finally collapse under the weight of public anger at Brussels empire building.
EU is going to collapse if they make Arab bazaar out of it . They should STOP silly talking because we know it is church financed with oil money fighting for Arabs in the EU . English voted to exit , Dutch , Danish , French and Spanish are going to do the same . Some people told me this , if the EU continue with that politics and if English vote to exit than is very big chance that Dutch and Danish do the same and French ans Spanish are going to follow . Group of corrupt Christians is going to destroy the EU and our economy .
EU Christians are called by many people for Old Chinese army https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njlXhlLii4M
.
The Eu as been in crisis for years but Brussels will ignore the result & carry on regardless just as they always do, right up to the point were the EU finally collapse under the weight of public anger at Brussels empire building.
EU is going to collapse if they make Arab bazaar out of it . They should STOP silly talking because we know it is church financed with oil money fighting for Arabs in the EU . English voted to exit , Dutch , Danish , French and Spanish are going to do the same . Some people told me this , if the EU continue with that politics and if English vote to exit than is very big chance that Dutch and Danish do the same and French ans Spanish are going to follow . Group of corrupt Christians is going to destroy the EU and our economy .
EU Christians are called by many people for Old Chinese army https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njlXhlLii4M
EU is going to collapse if they make Arab bazaar out of it . They should STOP silly talking because we know it is church financed with oil money fighting for Arabs in the EU . English voted to exit , Dutch , Danish , French and Spanish are going to do the same . Some people told me this , if the EU continue with that politics and if English vote to exit than is very big chance that Dutch and Danish do the same and French ans Spanish are going to follow . Group of corrupt Christians is going to destroy the EU and our economy .
EU Christians are called by many people for Old Chinese army https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njlXhlLii4M
EU is going to collapse if they make Arab bazaar out of it . They should STOP silly talking because we know it is church financed with oil money fighting for Arabs in the EU . English voted to exit , Dutch , Danish , French and Spanish are going to do the same . Some people told me this , if the EU continue with that politics and if English vote to exit than is very big chance that Dutch and Danish do the same and French ans Spanish are going to follow . Group of corrupt Christians is going to destroy the EU and our economy .
EU Christians are called by many people for Old Chinese army https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njlXhlLii4M
I am Italian and yesterday i voted NO .I think Europe is in crisis ,the Brexit ,the Italian referendum ,the situation of Greece ,all the movements anti-UE and a lot of walls against the no control immigration are bringing the Europe to the end .Or the politics in Bruxelles will stop to be blind ,or the EU will finish soon
hai detto tutte cose giuste (Y) ma per me non ci sono più “o” ( ” o la politica di Bruxelles smetterà di essere cieco , o ” …. ) è da troppi anni che diamo questi “o” BASTA deve finire e basta gli “o” sono finiti
Let the EU die in agony with all Brussels bureacrats screaming in dispair! :D
I am Italian and yesterday i voted NO .I think Europe is in crisis ,the Brexit ,the Italian referendum ,the situation of Greece ,all the movements anti-UE and a lot of walls against the no control immigration are bringing the Europe to the end .Or the politics in Bruxelles will stop to be blind ,or the EU will finish soon
we are already in.
Hahaha no offcourse not! Where has anyone been talking about any crisis ever? Well i always heard that before you do the right actions, you must stop making stupid questions first, i think i now know the purpose of most these useless questions.
When I said earlier it’s been a long time coming, this is the song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liW-kWFiXtQ
Will this result show you that enough is enough ??
Wen we Greeks told you that this way is killing people you still think what Merkel says (that we are lazy)
So stop been foolish and look the facts
– we have pay the debt 5 times
– they dint pay the same taxis at my country as Greeks pay
– they have plan for all Europe to be Germans workers
This have nothing to do wit political stupid things …. Have only to do with life’s !!!!
Wake up !!!!
@Dimitris Stamiris
We all know that Greece has been well and truly screwed by the German EU since the financial crisis.
Unfortunately, Greece has few friends in the EU because it screwed its EU friends by lying and cheating WRT monies obtained from the EU.
I fear that developing country Greece has many, more years of German punishment to endure before it can pull its pants up again.
iT´S ALREADY. iSN´T IT? what´s the plan, after all?
Of course not, The EU is too strong to be in crisis because of a single country.
EU crisis is a long lasting story. Italian referendum result is not going to affect more or less this crisis. To my opinion this result may be for good. Italy is a part of Southern European region which is most affected by serious social problems. High levels of immigration, unemployment, vulnerable banks, environmental damages and many other problems. This result is a proof that Southern Europe can form common negotiating line for more relaxed conditions
Crisis, what crisis?
The only crisis is one the eurolover corporates themselves created.
This is thier party, and its coming undone.
We in europe are tired of the bs. Pensions, govt coffers, budgets, have all been raided to support the the eu flop.
Its time for a change , time to get our countries out of the eu swamp and rebuild.
Im very happy with the italians, as is the majority of europe, bravo..!
Junker and his eurolover buddies will scaremonger , but i know the people of europe will see past the bs.
In the netherlands almost all the major parties belong to Alde group (coincidence), , its a smart deliberate set up. We in the netherlands also want change, although the dutch media which is played like an old fiddle by den haag says otherwise, more corporate bs.
Its time, europe as it was is better than the eu we have been forced to accept.
Congratulations Italy!
Dumb boy’!
Yeap
No. It will create momentum for the deliverance of the European people from the grip of destructive globalist power. That can only be positive for all of Europe.
And as a footnote. The Austrian vote for the Green man is suspect. Why do I say that?
His policy is for open door immigration into their country. And not once in the last five years have I met or read of an Austrian national wanting to ‘add’ to their immigrant population. In fact, they are terrified of what is taking place in their once beautiful State. So, it is very unlikely they would vote, en masse, for such a package of policies as this person offers. They have somehow been scammed. Why no demonstrations US style I wonder? Why the fear to speak up?
It is strange a country that has imported people with serious illness is not wanting some kind of border control. I read there is now immigrants entering Europe with Smallpox as we all as the other devastating illness they are bringing with them.
https://sputniknews.com/europe/201512071031360542-europe-refugees-migrants-malaria-hiv-tuberculosis-malaria/
http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2016/11/migrants-banned-leaving-refugee-camp-due/
In democracy the People tules. We must acept
Firebrand mainstream political parties visa vox populi? Once labeled “far right” by history & media- after in 1945- nowadays just anti pc, plain down to earth, logic & realistic. Something the media propaganda revels in and repeats endlessly.
Full of beans Renzi gambled by threatening to resign! Now, please Sir go & stick to your words. Banksters & politicians seem to outdo themselves in gambling.
Crisis or hope? Not a Europe crisis (Russia is part of “Europe”)- the EU more likely. Brussels Eurocrats seem to shiver. Why does the DE encourage ongoing speculation? Rather check facts and study ones country’s Constitution and ask yourself:
Contained in any national Constitution are certain basics guaranties. Like: sovereignty, freedom, democracy, Human rights, our citizenship & much more. It always has to rule SUPREME. How compliant & legally correct (maybe political correct) have all EU treaty changes- (from a trading; customs; extended one sided to a political, banking, social and eventual a military union) been incorporated into our existing Constitution?
Who has scrutinized if any of these clauses might contradict, offend, compromise and eventually subordinates our existing supreme Constitution to the newly incorporated & adopted clauses from all EU treaties? It is well known that the EU is hell bent to remove all sovereignty, all vital competences & eventually even self determination & our parliament. They cannot remove our self respect though!
And THEY expect us to be happy while being constantly- but wrongly- labeled far right or far left and probable held responsible for all the mess? Laughable!
Hopefully.
Let`s hope so :D
Why? I thought Europe was already in crisis
When they blame domestic work for their lack of productivity the Italian people reject the change for nothing could change the simple reason that they want to change this is country that expects revolutions happening by miracles and not by action The West and East should get rid of populist revolts
Yes, I think so. Already, Italy is in the beginnings of a banking and political crisis. It will affect the Eurozone and other countries as well. It should not have been allowed to happen.
The west is in trouble. Europe is in trouble. Realizing that is only the first step. I can clearly see a great opportunity and a great risk. There are only 3 paths to walk. Do nothing and collapse, do the wrong things and collapse or do right things and survive.
The choice is yours. People down here there are only to help when asked.
The west is in trouble. Europe is in trouble. Realizing that is only the first step. I can clearly see a great opportunity and a great risk. There are only 3 paths to walk. Do nothing and collapse, do the wrong things and collapse or do right things and survive.
The choice is yours. People down here there are only to help when asked.
European union, euro unite’s people. In general this is a good thing. I must honestly tell you it can be very bad also, when people unite to rape.
Asking people is a good thing. Can you do it in every breath you take for every issue that matters? Messure as much as you can. Plan wisely, so you can fast solve problems and rapid cure where needed. Rather than being unpleasantly surprised waken up rudely from your sweetest dreams.