1. What is the most likely scenario after Renzi’s resignation?

    President Sergio Mattarella appoints a head of government with the support of the current majority or a new enlarged majority.

    A number of names are already circulating including Finance Minister Pier Carlo Padoan and Senate leader Pietro Grasso.

    The caretaker government would be tasked with passing the 2017 budget in parliament and modifying a new electoral law before elections take place. He or she could also decide to continue until the end of the current parliamentary term in February 2018.

    2. Is a snap election possible?

    Highly unlikely.

    A recent electoral reform was designed to ensure the leading party has a parliamentary majority in the Chamber of Deputies, while the failure of the constitutional reform of the senate means it still maintains a proportional system, making the two chambers irreconcilable and a parliamentary majority almost impossible.

    The populist Five Star Movement, whose founder and leader Beppe Grillo has called for an election “within a week,” believes the electoral law could be modified in the senate if necessary to align it more closely with that of the Chamber of Deputies.

    But most other political parties, who have a majority in Parliament, disagree, precisely to avoid a victory of the populist party. They are instead advocating reform of the electoral law.

    In the end it will be for Mattarella to decide Italy’s immediate future.

    3. What was proposed in the referendum?

    To strip the second chamber of parliament, the senate, of most of its powers to block and amend legislation.

    To replace 315 elected and five lifetime senators with 100 nominees, all but a handful from the regions.

    To transfer some powers currently held by local and regional authorities to central government, and to abolish a government policy body.

    4. Why the proposal?

    The government said the reform would end gridlock in parliament and make it easier to pass difficult legislation. Regional reform was important to remove barriers to major infrastructural projects.

    5. Who was on each side?

    For: Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and his backers. Most of his centre-left Democratic Party and his junior coalition partners. Most business leaders.

    Against: Main opposition parties — populist Five Star Movement, Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia and the far-right Northern League. Some prominent figures in Renzi’s own camp, many constitutional experts, voters disgruntled about other issues. (SD-Agencies)