A little-known part of Italy’s constitution makes it almost impossible for the country to leave the euro

Reuters/Tony Gentile

• Article 75 of the Italian constitution forbids referendums dealing with international treaties.
• That means that the country’s constitution would need to be changed before a referendum could be held on EU and euro membership.
• A two-thirds majority in the lower house of Italy’s parliament is needed to change the constitution.
• Such a majority looks highly unlikely right now, even if the Northern League and Five Star Movement increase their vote share in any future election.

A little-known article in the Italian constitution makes it virtually impossible for Italy to leave the euro or the European Union in the near future, even if the country ends up being ruled by a eurosceptic coalition in the coming months.

Article 75 of the Italian constitution could play a key role in defusing the developing crisis in Italian politics, a crisis which many fear could culminate in Italy pulling out of the euro.

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SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about the Italian political crisis — which is 9 years in the making and could bring about the demise of the eurozone