Italy marks eight decades since voters chose to abolish the monarchy and establish a democratic republic in the ruins of the second world war.The Festa della Repubblica, celebrated with a national public holiday in Italy every year on 2 June, marks a significant milestone in 2026.The annual holiday commemorates the institutional referendum of 2 and 3 June 1946 in which Italians were asked, for the first and only time in the country's history, to decide on the form of their state: monarchy or republic. Background The vote took place at the end of one of the most difficult periods in modern Italian history - after two decades of fascism and the devastation left by the second world war. Poverty was widespread and unemployment was rife. The Italian monarchy was discredited because King Victor Emmanuel III was complicit in enabling dictator Benito Mussolini’s rise to power, supported two decades of fascist rule, and signed discriminatory racial laws. The royal House of Savoy coexisted with and legitimised the fascist regime, acquiescing to Italy's entry into world war two alongside Nazi Germany. In September 1943, when the war turned against Italy, the king orchestrated Mussolini's ousting and signed an armistice with the Allies. However, he and his government immediately fled Rome - to the Allied-controlled Brindisi in the south - amid chaos as German forces occupied the country. In a desperate attempt to save the crown, Victor Emmanuel III abdicated in May 1946 in favour of his son, Umberto II, however it was too little too late. Women The referendum was historic on two counts. It was also the first time that Italian women exercised their right to vote at national level, a fundamental step for the country's democracy. Women had in many cases already voted in local elections held a few months earlier, but 2 June 1946 marked their entry into national political life. North-south divide The referendum result revealed a profound divide: the south voted heavily in favour of retaining the monarchy, while the north inclined strongly towards the republic. In what is now the Campania region, the republic won a majority in only a handful of municipalities, while the clearest republican result came in Trento, in the far north. The leaders of the main parties were almost unanimously in favour of the republic, but feared that monarchists in the south might organise uprisings, and that in any disorder the Carabinieri would side with the king. There were indeed some violent incidents: in Naples, monarchist demonstrators attacked a Communist Party office - where the future president of the Republic Giorgio Napolitano had taken refuge - and nine people died when police intervened. Referendum result The republic received 12,718,641 votes against 10,718,502 for the monarchy, with turnout at 89 per cent of the roughly 25 million who went to the polls. The republic's share of valid votes was 54 per cent. The Court of Cassation announced the result on 10 June, though using cautious language that deferred formal confirmation to 18 June to allow examination of objections, mainly from the monarchist side. Alcide De Gasperi, head of the provisional government, did not wait: between 12 and 13 June, he formally acknowledged the outcome and proclaimed the transfer of powers from King Umberto II to the provisional government. The republican Constitution would come into force on 1 January 1948. Monarchy in exile King Umberto II accepted the referendum results to avoid a civil war. He left Italy on 13 June 1946, relocating to Cascais, Portugal, where he lived until his death in 1983. The newly drafted constitution of the Italian Republic contained an entrenched clause forbidding any constitutional amendment that could restore the monarchy. In addition, the constitution permanently banished all male descendants of the former royal house from entering Italy. This exile clause was officially lifted in 2002 after the House of Savoy formally renounced all claims to the throne. Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy, the only son of Umberto II, was aged nine when he went into exile. He died in Geneva in 2024 aged 86. Public holiday Italy has celebrated the Festa della Repubblica since 1948, though not always on 2 June. In 1977, for economic reasons, it was made a moveable feast, falling on the first Sunday of June. It was restored as a fixed national public holiday on 2 June in 2000 by the second Amato government, on the initiative of Italy’s then president, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi. Celebrating women The 80th anniversary is marked by a particular emphasis on women's role in Italian republican life. Italy's national news agency ANSA – itself founded 80 years ago, a few months before the referendum – is staging a photographic exhibition titled Women of the Republic. Eighty Years of Conquests in the ANSA Chronicles. 1946–2026, tracing the long journey of women's rights over the last eight decades. The exhibition of 122 photographs will be inaugurated on Thursday at the Vicolo Valdina complex in Piazza Campo Marzio 42, and will be free to the public for free from 29 May until 30 June. A new commemorative postage stamp marking the 80th anniversary was presented to Italy’s president Sergio Mattarella on Wednesday. National celebrations As is customary, Rome is at the centre of the national celebrations. The day begins with a solemn flag-raising ceremony at the Altare della Patria and a tribute to the Unknown Soldier, with President Mattarella laying a laurel wreath accompanied by the highest officials of the state. The traditional military parade then takes place along Via dei Fori Imperiali, which has been the route since 1948, with the participation of all branches of the Italian armed forces and civilian corps, military bands and fanfares. Final honours are performed by the fanfare of the 4th Mounted Carabinieri Regiment and the Corazzieri Regiment. Stands are set up along Via dei Fori Imperiali for members of the public wishing to watch the parade; accreditation is available via the defence ministry website. Frecce Tricolori One of the most eagerly anticipated moments of the day is a spectacular aerobatic display by the Frecce Tricolori jets flying in formation over Rome's city centre, releasing plumes of red, white and green. Teams of firefighters also unfurl a giant Italian tricolour from the Colosseum. Italy's state museums and archaeological parks are open free of charge during their regular hours, with booking where required. Rome's Casa del Cinema is also hosting a free screening of Paola Cortellesi's acclaimed film There's Still Tomorrow (C'è ancora domani), in tribute to women's first vote in general elections, shown in the original Italian with English subtitles. Italy's state broadcaster RAI will also dedicate a series of programmes to the Festa della Repubblica, offering a look back at the landmark referendum 80 years ago. This year the holiday falls on a Tuesday, with many Italians taking the Monday off to enjoy a four-day "ponte" weekend.

The Festa della Repubblica, celebrated with a  in Italy every year on 2 June, marks a significant milestone in 2026. The annual holiday commemorates the institutional referendum of 2 and 3 June 1946 in which Italians were asked, for the first and only time in the country's history, to decide on the form of their state: monarchy or republic. The vote took place at the end of one of the most difficult periods in modern Italian history - after two decades of fascism and the devastation left by the second world war. Poverty was widespread and unemployment was rife. The Italian monarchy was discredited because King Victor Emmanuel III was complicit in enabling dictator Benito Mussolini’s rise to power, supported two decades of fascist rule, and signed . The royal House of Savoy coexisted with and legitimised the fascist regime, acquiescing to Italy's entry into world war two alongside Nazi Germany. In September 1943, when the war turned against Italy, the king orchestrated Mussolini's ousting and signed an armistice with the Allies. However, he and his government immediately fled Rome - to the Allied-controlled Brindisi in the south - amid chaos as German forces occupied the country. In a desperate attempt to save the crown, Victor Emmanuel III abdicated in May 1946 in favour of his son, Umberto II, however it was too little too late. The referendum was historic on two counts. It was also the first time that Italian women exercised their right to vote at national level, a fundamental step for the country's democracy. Women had in many cases already voted in local elections held a few months earlier, but 2 June 1946 marked their entry into national political life. The referendum result revealed a profound divide: the south voted heavily in favour of retaining the monarchy, while the north inclined strongly towards the republic. In what is now the Campania region, the republic won a majority in only a handful of municipalities, while the clearest republican result came in Trento, in the far north. The leaders of the main parties were almost unanimously in favour of the republic, but feared that monarchists in the south might organise uprisings, and that in any disorder the Carabinieri would side with the king. There were indeed some violent incidents: in Naples, monarchist demonstrators attacked a Communist Party office - where the future president of the Republic  had taken refuge - and nine people died when police intervened. The republic received 12,718,641 votes against 10,718,502 for the monarchy, with turnout at 89 per cent of the roughly 25 million who went to the polls. The republic's share of valid votes was 54 per cent. The Court of Cassation announced the result on 10 June, though using cautious language that deferred formal confirmation to 18 June to allow examination of objections, mainly from the monarchist side. Alcide De Gasperi, head of the provisional government, did not wait: between 12 and 13 June, he formally acknowledged the outcome and proclaimed the transfer of powers from King Umberto II to the provisional government. The republican Constitution would come into force on 1 January 1948. King Umberto II accepted the referendum results to avoid a civil war. He left Italy on 13 June 1946, relocating to Cascais, Portugal, where he lived until his death in 1983. The newly drafted constitution of the Italian Republic contained an entrenched clause forbidding any constitutional amendment that could restore the monarchy. In addition, the constitution permanently banished all male descendants of the former royal house from entering Italy. This exile clause was officially lifted in 2002 after the House of Savoy formally renounced all claims to the throne. Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy, the only son of Umberto II, was aged nine when he went into exile. He  aged 86. Italy has celebrated the Festa della Repubblica since 1948, though not always on 2 June. In 1977, for economic reasons, it was made a moveable feast, falling on the first Sunday of June. It was restored as a fixed national public holiday on 2 June in 2000 by the second Amato government, on the initiative of Italy’s then president, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi. The 80th anniversary is marked by a particular emphasis on women's role in Italian republican life. Italy's national news agency ANSA – itself founded 80 years ago, a few months before the referendum – is staging  titled Women of the Republic. Eighty Years of Conquests in the ANSA Chronicles. 1946–2026, tracing the long journey of women's rights over the last eight decades. The exhibition of 122 photographs will be inaugurated on Thursday at the Vicolo Valdina complex in Piazza Campo Marzio 42, and will be free to the public for free from 29 May until 30 June. A new commemorative postage stamp marking the 80th anniversary was presented to Italy’s president Sergio Mattarella on Wednesday. As is customary, Rome is at the centre of the national celebrations. The day begins with a solemn flag-raising ceremony at the Altare della Patria and a tribute to , with President Mattarella laying a laurel wreath accompanied by the highest officials of the state. The traditional military parade then takes place along Via dei Fori Imperiali, which has been the route since 1948, with the participation of all branches of the Italian armed forces and civilian corps, military bands and fanfares. Final honours are performed by the fanfare of the 4th Mounted Carabinieri Regiment and the Corazzieri Regiment. Stands are set up along Via dei Fori Imperiali for members of the public wishing to watch the parade; accreditation is available via the . One of the most eagerly anticipated moments of the day is a spectacular aerobatic display by the  flying in formation over Rome's city centre, releasing plumes of red, white and green. Teams of firefighters also unfurl a giant Italian tricolour from the Colosseum. Italy's state museums and archaeological parks are  during their regular hours, with booking where required. Rome's Casa del Cinema is also hosting  of Paola Cortellesi's  There's Still Tomorrow (C'è ancora domani), in tribute to women's first vote in general elections, shown in the original Italian with English subtitles. Italy's state broadcaster RAI will also dedicate  to the Festa della Repubblica, offering a look back at the landmark referendum 80 years ago. This year the holiday falls on a Tuesday, with many Italians taking the Monday off to enjoy a four-day "ponte" weekend.