The 2014 unofficial independence poll
In March 2014, Plebiscito.eu, a minor cross-party Venetist committee, organised an unofficial online poll asking whether Veneto should become an independent, sovereign federal republic. The organisers reported more than 2.3 million votes cast, about 63% of the region's eligible voters, with around 89% in favour.[1] Luca Zaia, President of Veneto, said he had voted Yes and that he would seek "total independence" for Veneto.[2]
· Referendum or popular consultation
Unofficial Venetian independence poll, 2014
A privately organised online poll reported overwhelming support for Venetian independence, though it had no legal standing.
The Constitutional Court and the 2017 referendum
In June 2015 the Italian Constitutional Court ruled that a binding referendum on Venetian independence would be incompatible with the Constitution's principles of unity and indivisibility, while authorising a proposed referendum on greater autonomy to proceed.[3]
On 22 October 2017, in an official regional referendum on "further forms and special conditions of autonomy," 2,273,985 votes (98.10%) were cast in favour against 43,938 (1.90%), on a turnout of around 57-58%. The vote was not legally binding, but the regional government declared it would seek further devolved powers regardless of the precise outcome.[4][5]
· Referendum or popular consultation
Venetian autonomy referendum, 2017
Venetians voted overwhelmingly for further autonomy after the Constitutional Court barred a binding independence vote.
Differentiated autonomy, 2024-2025
Italy adopted a law on "differentiated autonomy" in 2024, allowing individual ordinary-statute regions to negotiate devolution of specific additional powers from the central state.[6] Veneto's Regional Council approved final draft agreements with the national government on four devolved policy areas, becoming the first of Italy's twenty regions to reach this stage.[7]
In November 2025, Minister for Regional Affairs Roberto Calderoli signed a preliminary agreement (pre-intesa) with Veneto President Luca Zaia, covering civil protection, professions, supplementary and integrated pensions, and healthcare-related coordination of public finance; Calderoli called it "a historic agreement."[8]
· Agreement
Veneto differentiated-autonomy pre-intesa, 2025
Veneto became the first Italian region to sign a preliminary agreement devolving specific powers under Italy's 2024 differentiated autonomy law.
Sources for this page
Each number marks a specific claim. Notes give the source, its locator and how it relates to the claim.
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1.
Claim: In March 2014, Plebiscito.eu, a minor cross-party Venetist committee, organised an unofficial online independence poll for Veneto; the organisers reported more than 2.3 million votes cast, about 63% of the region's eligible voters, with around 89% in favour.
- 2014 Venetian independence referendum (Wikipedia) link, Results section. Source record
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2.
Claim: Luca Zaia, President of Veneto and a leading member of Liga Veneta-Lega Nord, said he had voted Yes in the online poll and that he would seek "total independence" for Veneto. Attributed to Luca Zaia, President of Veneto (2014 statement)
- 2014 Venetian independence referendum (Wikipedia) link, Political reaction section. Source record
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3.
Claim: In June 2015 the Italian Constitutional Court ruled that a binding referendum on Venetian independence would be incompatible with the Constitution's fundamental principles of the unity and indivisibility of the Italian Republic, while authorising a proposed referendum on greater autonomy to proceed.
- Veneto says farewell to independence vote (Nationalia) link, article text. Source record
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4.
Claim: On 22 October 2017, in an official regional referendum on "further forms and special conditions of autonomy," 2,273,985 votes (98.10%) were cast in favour and 43,938 (1.90%) against, on a turnout of 57.2-57.94%.
- 2017 Venetian autonomy referendum (Wikipedia) link, Results section. Source record
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5.
Claim: The 2017 referendum was not legally binding, but the Venetian regional government declared it would seek further devolved powers from the Italian state regardless of the specific result, using the "yes" outcome to strengthen its negotiating position.
- 2017 Venetian autonomy referendum (Wikipedia) link, Aftermath section. Source record
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6.
Claim: Italy adopted a law on "differentiated autonomy" in 2024, creating a legal framework for individual ordinary-statute regions to negotiate the devolution of specific additional powers from the central state.
- Veneto Regional Council Approves Autonomy Deal, Now Awaiting Cabinet Sign-Off (Italian Times (Substack)) link, article text. Source record
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7.
Claim: Veneto's Regional Council approved final draft agreements with the national government on four devolved policy areas, becoming the first of Italy's twenty regions to reach this stage under the 2024 differentiated autonomy law.
- Veneto Regional Council Approves Autonomy Deal, Now Awaiting Cabinet Sign-Off (Italian Times (Substack)) link, article text. Source record
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8.
Claim: In November 2025, Minister for Regional Affairs Roberto Calderoli signed a preliminary agreement (pre-intesa) with Veneto President Luca Zaia, committing the Government and the Region to conclude negotiations on civil protection, professions, supplementary and integrated pensions, and healthcare-related coordination of public finance; Calderoli called it "a historic agreement." Attributed to Roberto Calderoli, Italian Minister for Regional Affairs
- Autonomy, preliminary agreement signed with Veneto. Calderoli: "A historic agreement." (Agenzia Nova, November 2025) link, article text. Source record
Printed from https://independenceatlas.com/movements/veneto/history · last substantive update 24 September 2026.