Two of Italy’s regions Veneto and Lombardy voted overwhelmingly in favor of greater autonomy from Rome.
Voter turnout was around 57% in Veneto, home to Venice, where 98% of voters backed the autonomy bid. In Lombardy that includes Milan more than 90% of voters voted for more autonomy.
This was a non-binding referendum that set the stage for negotiations on more autonomy with the central government. Together, Veneto and Lombardy account for 30% of Italy's GDP. Thus, people living there claimed they do not want to subsidize the poorer southern regions.
Veneto and Lombardy also members of the Northern League, which continue its push for tax exemptions and oppose the Italian government’s migration policy.
The Democratic Party does not recognize the referendum outcome and does not want to negotiate the issues of greater autonomy and tax changes with the regions.
