When did the 1946 Italian institutional referendum take place?
The 1946 Italian institutional referendum took place on the 2nd of June 1946. This vote determined whether Italy would become a republic or remain a monarchy.
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The 1946 Italian institutional referendum took place on the 2nd of June 1946. This vote determined whether Italy would become a republic or remain a monarchy.
Republicans won the 1946 Italian institutional referendum with 54% of the votes cast while monarchists received 46%. Voter turnout reached 89% across the country during this historic election.
Victor Emmanuel III abdicated in favor of his son Umberto II because his association with Mussolini made him politically compromised. The National Liberation Committee required royal abdication as a prerequisite for establishing an anti-fascist government after World War II.
Northern Italy voted overwhelmingly for the republic achieving 66% support while Southern Italy chose monarchy with 64% backing. Conservative rural regions like Mezzogiorno gave 63.8% support to monarchy whereas industrialized areas favored the republican form.
The Supreme Court proclaimed final results at 6 pm on the 18th of June 1946 which led to Enrico De Nicola being elected provisional head of state by the Constituent Assembly. Former King Umberto II left Italy for exile in Portugal the next day following the announcement.