In the end, it was the party of abstentions that won, as the quorum was not reached. For a referendum to abrogate a law, the quorum is 50% plus one of those eligible to vote; on this occasion, 31.18% voted, including the votes of Italians abroad, who had a very low turnout, of 19.73%.

Prime Minister Renzi, who was in favour abstaining on the question of “drilling-no drilling”, the aim of which was to consult the electorate on whether or not to suspend mining activities within the 12-nautical mile zone when the licence expires, was singing victory. “Demagogy doesn’t pay.”

The turnout in Varese Province was 30.56%. In Varese itself, 29.08% of those eligible voted, in Busto Arsizio, the percentage was 29.8%, in Gallarate, 31.5%, and in Saronno, 31.78%.

The village with the lowest turnout was Cadegliano Viconago, with 22.98%. There was the highest turnout in Tronzano Lago Maggiore, with 42,62%.

These figures are very different from those of other Italian regions, such as Puglia, one of those swayed by Governor Emiliano, which had a high, sometimes very high, turnout.

This was so in Lecce Province, where, in Patù, there was the “record” turnout of  62.49%.

The only region in which the quorum was reached was Basilicata, with a little over 50%.