Venice votes in referendum on independence from Italy

[-:Undertaker:-]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26604044

Venice votes in referendum on splitting from Rome


http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/73616000/jpg/_73616780_73616779.jpg


Voting has begin in Venice and the surrounding region on whether to break away from Italy.

Recent opinion polls suggest that two-thirds of the four million electorate favour splitting from Rome, but the vote will not be legally binding.

The poll was organised by local activists and parties, who want a future state called Republic of Veneto.

This would be reminiscent of the sovereign Venetian republic that existed for more than 1,000 years.

A focal point for culture, architecture and trade, Venice lost its independence to Napoleon in 1797.

Online voting is due to continue until Friday.

The vote received very little coverage in Italy's national media but the organisers said they expected as many as two million people to take part.

The BBC's Alan Johnston in Rome says the vote reflects a growing separatist mood in parts of Europe, such as Spain's Catalonia region and Scotland, which votes on whether to become independent in September.

Moves towards independence often evoke more sympathy in wealthy northern Italy, where many resent what they see as the poorer south's waste and corruption.

Luca Zaia, governor of Veneto, the Venice region, rejected suggestions that the Italian constitution would prevent secession.

International law, he told Il Quotidiano, allowed "the right to self-determination".

Interesting.

Thoughts?

[FlyingJesus]

A vote that has no legal standing and is only being attended by Venetian republicans wow what a great story Mark.

Means nothing at all

[GommeInc]

Eh? Republic of Veneto? So it's not just Venice but the entire Veneto region? Venice is just an area off the Veneto region - it would be like saying the Isle of Wight wants independence and wants to be called the Republic of Hampshire. Surely this is incorrect? Venice is Venetia which is sometimes but incorrectly used to describe the whole Veneto area.

Also this was brought on unexpectedly, so this is probably inaccurate. Also how would it be governed? The only amazing way would be to bring back the Dogé and I'd want to call it the Most Serene Republic instead of just Republic because that's boring and modern.

Seriously though, this just seems to be organised by a bunch of angry individuals wanting attention - the worst kind of political activists. Also, the owe Italy a lot in the last century. Unless they only like Italy for the sea/lagoon defences and everything else is unwanted (financial aid, protecting their buildings etc) It seems a stab in the back really. I can't imagine Venice would survive in this day and age, the days of being a strong Republic reliant on being a major sea faring force is long gone, unless Turkey wants to start a few wars or trade with them again.