WITH more than 60 million people, it is the fourth most populous country in the European Union and should be a stable democracy, yet Italy has always seemed a political basket case.

That is perhaps why so many people in diverse regions want out of the state – or at least want far greater autonomy for their people.

It is a fact which is not that surprising when you consider that the modern Republic of Italy will celebrate only its 70th anniversary on January 1 next year. Before that the Kingdom of Italy dates only from the 1860s, and apart from the Papal States, the last area to be incorporated into the Kingdom was Venezia, better known as Veneto, the region around one of the world’s most historic cities, Venice.

Veneto is chief among the potential separatists at the moment and, just three years ago, an online plebiscite – privately funded as the Italian government would not sanction it – voted Yes to independence, with 2.36 million voters in the Vento region taking part, of which 89 per cent voted Yes.

You may not have read about it at the time, because it was held in March, 2014, and The National did not exist then. Instead the BBC, for example, gave it less coverage than they did for Venice’s decision two months ago to banish giant cruise liners from the lagoon on which the city stands.

Despite the possibilities of voter corruption, the plebiscite was declared legitimate the following March by international observers and Gianluca Busato, the leading figure in the Venezia independence movement, said at the time: “With the final report signed and delivered in Venice on March 28, 2015, the Commission of International Observers has legitimated the Plebiscito.eu referendum committee to act internationally without limitation to its action, permitting and authorising to establish any form of relationship with states and intergovernmental organisations in order to recognise referendum results and therefore the full independence of the Venetian Republic, respecting the right of self-determination of the Venetian people.

“Finally, until proven otherwise, no other can today legally represent Veneto internationally regarding its full and legitimate political independence.”

That was a declaration that meant a lot in Venice but little in Rome. But the referendum which really has catapulted Venice towards greater autonomy took place last December when Prime Minister Matteo Renzi decisively lost his Italian constitutional reform referendum which would have seen the Republic’s Senate transformed and given him more power.

Busato said at the time: “The No comes out as a resounding failure not only for the figure of the former prime minister and his leadership, but for the whole centralist policy of the Italian state.”

Busato added: “Venetia has entered a deep crisis because of the public and fiscal oppression coming from the Italian state which has been able to destroy any residual goodwill to operate and to undertake, qualities that have trademarked our land ever since.”

Now the Italian government has challenged Busato and his desire for Venetian independence by sanctioning an “autonomy” referendum to be held on October 22.

The President of the Veneto region, Luca Zaia, acted in April after the Constitutional Court of Italy authorised referenda, but only on greater autonomy for the region.

The question to be asked on October 22 is: “Do you want the Region of Veneto to be granted further and special forms and conditions of autonomy?” On the face of it, the answer will be an overwhelming Yes.

Busato wants to go much further, however.

He said yesterday: “On October 22, they want you to vote for the utopia of autonomy in Veneto, an illusion that you will be granted by the Italian parliament. Every other day you can actively activate for the full independence of Veneto.”

Greater powers promised if people don’t vote for independence. Wonder where we have heard that before?