Europe's Next Unnerving Referendum: QuickTake Q&A

The last referendum in western Europe had, to put it mildly, widespread ramifications. The next one could, too. On Dec. 4, Italians will vote on constitutional changes proposed by Prime Minister Matteo Renzi to limit the power of the Senate, the upper house of parliament. At stake is how Italy is run as it endures a banking crisis, economic stagnation, and pressures linked to migration flows. Renzi’s own political fate is on the line as well, as he has promised to quit if he loses the vote. That makes him the next target of the populist wave that swept Donald Trump to power.

The final rush of public opinion polls before a required pre-election blackout period showed voters leaning toward turning down Renzi’s constitutional reforms. A win for “No” would be a boost for the opposition Five Star Movement, which has bigger goals: a national referendum on whether Italy should abandon Europe’s common currency.