More than on the drills, which are no longer and will no longer exist in our seas, today's referendum is based on the quorum and is an anticipation of the much more serious referendum on the reform of the Constitution next October.
The polls will be open from 7 to 23 but there is a broad front, supported by Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and supported by the President Emeritus of the Republic Giorgio Napolitano who calls for abstention and not to participate in the vote of what he considers a bogus referendum, indeed a real "hoax" which under alleged environmental fears, never supported by any serious analysis, actually aims to defend the powers of the Regions against the State in energy matters.
Today's referendum is not in fact a popular referendum but a referendum proposed, as the Constitution provides, by 8 Regions, which during the referendum campaign largely withdrew fearing the anti-government exploitation of the consultation which is led by that popular leader who became the Governor of Puglia, Michele Emiliano, former magistrate and former mayor of Bari, initially Renziano and today a proud opponent of the premier, in other words a fate of late Di Pietro. With him, in addition to the environmental associations, there are the forces of the opposition and some of the bishops.
The union is split as is the Pd minority: Bersani will vote no like former premiers Prodi and Letta, while Speranza will vote yes.
The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, will vote, even if it is not known how, only because tradition wants it and because
the Head of State must remain impartial and cannot side with Yes or No.
So far no referendum, except the one on nuclear power, has ever reached a quorum: to win today's referendum must obtain the consent of half of the 50.631.368 entitled to vote plus one, i.e. over 25 million Italians.
