A lot at stake in Italy's referendum

Milan

IN the last 68 years, Italy has held 17 general elections and a few referenda. But only three times has an Italian vote claimed centre stage internationally: in 1948, when the choice was between the West and communism; in 1976, when voters faced a similar choice, between the Christian Democrats and Enrico Berlinguer's "Eurocommunism"; and now, with the upcoming referendum on constitutional reforms.

The implications of the upcoming vote are enormous. Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has staked his political future on the vote, pledging to step down (though not immediately) if the reforms are rejected. Such an outcome would irreparably weaken the centre-left government coalition as well: Mr Renzi's Democratic Party or Partito Democratico (PD) is already roiled by in-fighting over the reforms. In fact, the PD may not be able to avoid a split even if the vote goes the prime minister's way.