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Constitutional referendum underway in Italy, seen as key test for Europe

Xinhua, December 4, 2016 Adjust font size:

Italians on Sunday were voting in a constitutional referendum seen as a key test for both Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's cabinet and the European Union (EU).

Polls opened at 7 a.m., and some 46.7 million Italians were eligible to cast their ballot. Over 3.9 million Italians living abroad had their chance to vote earlier this month.

The turnout was at 20.14 percent soon after midday, the Interior Ministry data showed.

The reform amending the constitution has been already approved by the parliament, and, if passed on Sunday, would deeply reshape the country's profile and legislature. Most significant changes would concern the law-making process, the parliament composition, and the balance of power between central state and regions.

With the reform, the senate would lose its current law-making equal status with the chamber of deputies, its power to bring down the cabinet, and vote on budget laws and other major national legislation. As such, draft bills would not have to shuttle anymore from one chamber to the other until both of them agree on an identical text. In addition, the cabinet will depend on the confidence of the lower house only.

The number of senators will be cut to 100 from 315. Among other major changes, the central government would retake exclusive prerogatives in key sectors such as public health, infrastructure, environment, and energy.

The rules to elect the president of the Republic, and the judges to Italy's highest court, would also change.

The constitutional reform was strongly advocated by the cabinet, and by center-left Prime Minister Renzi's Democratic Party (PD).

According to the "Yes" side, the amendments would allow Italy to streamline its law-making process, and make the cabinets more stable.

While the opponents believe the reform would weaken the parliament, and concentrate too much power in the cabinet.

The "No" front has been dominated by the country's second opposition force Five Star Movement (M5S) led by comedian Beppe Grillo, yet it included center-right parties, and a minority of Renzi's own PD. Endit