‘A BIGGER BLOW than Brexit!’ Andrew Marr makes SHOCK Italian election prediction

The BBC presenter made the prediction as heads to the polls to elect their new prime minister and the 945 members of the Italian Parliament.

Polls published ahead of the two-week had the eurosceptic and anti-establishment 5 Star Movement (M5S) leading ahead of the ruling Democratic Party (PD) and the centre-right Forza Italia (FI) party led by former PM Silvio Berlusconi.

Mr Marr suggested an M5S victory could shake to the core a European Union struggling under the pressure of populist waves threatening the European project.

He said: “If the 5 Star Movement actually took power, which is possible, that will be a much bigger blow to Brussels than Brexit.

“That would be huge.”

Luigi Di Maio, the 31-year-old M5S leader, hopes to soon walk into the as the youngest prime minister in Italian history.

M5S repeatedly expressed frustration towards the European Union, calling for reforms in exchange for Italy’s large contributions to the EU budget.

The bold young politician believes his party is the one-solution answer to Italy’s deepening economic recession and migrant crisis.

But last night M5S insiders – who want a referendum on ditching the euro – admitted they were braced for a Ukip-style trouncing, blaming new electoral rules which may see success in the popular vote fail to translate to seats in both chambers of parliament.

A hung Parliament appears to be the most likely outcome of Sunday’s general election, meaning Italy’s future will be decided by a coalition Government.

One way or another, M5S has left its mark on the election, clawing back ground from underneath the PD which has been in power for five years.

Polls for the Italian election 2018 will be open from 7am until 11pm across the country (6am until 10pm GMT).

The first exit polls should be published immediately after and the votes are expected to be fully counted around 2pm on Monday local time (3pm GMT).