Voters have been casting their ballots in two wealthy regions of northern Italy on claiming more autonomy from Rome.<br /><br />Lombardy and Veneto, both run by the once openly separatist Northern League, have been holding non-binding referendums <br /><br />Unlike the recent vote in Catalonia, these are within the law.<br /><br />The ruling party hopes the result will deliver it a mandate to negotiate better financial deals from the national government.<br /><br />Back in the 1990s the Northern League campaigned for an independent state of “Padania” stretching across the north. Now the two regions use arguments about efficiency and bureaucracy – saying they’re better than others to the south.<br /><br />And crucially they complain they pay far more in taxes than they receive. Lombardy, home to Milan, accounts for around a fifth of Italy’s economy. <br /><br />The League’s opponents say the vote is a waste of time and money. Lombardy’s referendum doesn’t specify the areas where it wants more autonomy.<br /><br />There are fears that a strong “yes” vote could deepen the old north-south divide dating back to before Italian unification in the 19th century.<br /><br />ICYMI: 10 things you need to know about Italy’s Lombardy and Veneto autonomy referendums https://t.co/2ZvmVA8ECW pic.twitter.com/zEmQQmlq2S— euronews (@euronews) October 21, 2017<br /><br />Who needs Rome? Italian regions vote on autonomy https://t.co/aagOQHHagj pic.twitter.com/DHkaKIiUFc— euronews (@euronews) October 20, 2017<br />
