Green light to reform of the Constitution. The Chamber voted yes: out of 489 present, there were 357 votes in favour, 125 against and seven abstentions. The 5 Star Movement did not participate in the vote, Forza Italia voted against but arrived divided in the vote in an "all against all" which then probably favored the reform presented by the government. The provision is now being examined by the Senate. Satisfied with Prime Minister Matteo Renzi who spoke of a country that is now "simpler and fairer" while Minister Maria Elena Boschi he thanked all the deputies "for the great work done" and also said that now "we can immediately get back to work on school, PA, tax authorities" scheduled for Thursday's cabinet meeting.
The reform package was approved without too many problems and marks a new success of the government in Parliament. It should be remembered that the Democratic Party and the executive enjoy a larger majority in the Chamber than in the Senate where the text will now have to move.
La constitutional lawmoreover, it will then have to face a new second reading vote in both chambers, without further modifications, before entering into force. And if in the second parliamentary passage the reform is not approved by two thirds of the Parliament, it would have to be submitted to a referendum. The government expects to complete the constitutional process at the end of the year, but the time could be longer.
The reform of the Constitution it is the first since 2001, when the centre-left modified it in a federalist direction, while the new text in some respects goes in the opposite direction, returning to the State responsibilities that in recent years have been exercised with poor results by the Regions, as is the case with energy, infrastructure strategic and health.
The changes made by the constitutional reform then concern the Senate, providing that it is made up of 100 unpaid members, 95 of whom are no longer elected directly by the citizens but by the regional councils (the other five appointed by the head of state). The new Senate will not vote for confidence in the government and its powers will be significantly reduced compared to today.
The reform also changes some aspects of the election of the President of the Republic and the modalities of the referenda.
Forza Italia is divided. Forza Italia voted no to the reforms but 17 deputies signed a document confirming their vote against, but expressing strong criticism of the line: "We will vote against not out of group discipline but out of affection and loyalty towards you". To sign the document in which criticisms of "the chosen line" are expressed are among others Massimo Parisi, Luca D'Alessandro, Daniela Santanchè, Laura Ravetto, Monica Faenzi, Ignazio Abrigani, Luca Squeri, Basilio Catanoso, Antonio Marotta, Giovanni Mottola, Giuseppe Romele, Marco Martinelli, Carlo Sarro, Gregorio Fontana, Giorgio Lainati and Paolo Russo, now absent due to illness. "Faced with the news that Renzi does not have a majority in Parliament - said Renato Brunetta - I view with tolerance these different sensitivities" that emerged in FI, which are "unjustifiable" after a "sufferable year of the Nazarene Pact.
Dense, now no mess in the Senate – “Today welcome everyone to the opposition”. This is what Raffaele Fitto says who, after Fi's no on the reforms, warns: "Now the essential thing is that there is no mental reservation, in the next passage to the Senate, once the regional elections have passed, to start messing up again as happened until fifteen days ago”.
Pd, Bersani votes and warns – The Dem minority criticizes the content and method used on the reforms. “The Pact of the Nazarene – warns Pier Luigi Bersani – no longer exists, don't say that you don't touch anything. Or do you sensibly change theitalicum or I no longer vote yes on the electoral law and consequently on the reforms because the combined provisions create an unsustainable situation for democracy".
