Italy votes to change the Constitution: SI or NO?

On December 4, Italians will be called to vote on the constitutional reform promoted by the Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. The citizens will have to decide with a YES or a NO whether to approve the changes to the Constitution. The reform has already been approved by the Italian Parliament, but will only come into force if the referendum succeeds. For this type of consultation is not necessary any type of quorum: whatever will be the turnout, the result will mark the future of the new constitution. Global media compares the referendum with Brexit, because it is an irreversible, major national change – raising fears of a negative economic impact.

Italy is divided between yes and no.

Yes (SI!) means that the Italians will see the country move from a perfect ‘bi-cameral’ system (where its Chamber of Deputies and Senate are totally equal) to a new system with reduced powers for the Senate, and a redefinition of powers between local and central institutions. This would mean that the Senate would be less Involved in law-making, and the number of senators would be slashed from 315 to 100, and the government would have slightly blackberries control over the regions.

NO! The Opponents part of Italy Say that the reformers remove vital checks and balances and they are inconsistent and would leave the government with too much power, the very situation the bi-cameral system was put in place to prevent.

The current polls show a tendency towards No, but only the election itself will determine the answer.

-Francesca Procopio