The first of the four steps is accomplished. The Senate gave the green light to the Boschi bill on constitutional reforms with 183 votes in favor and 4 abstentions. The groups of the majority and Forza Italia have expressed themselves in favor, while Lega, Sel, M5S and Gal have chosen not to participate in the vote to highlight the criticisms of the reform and the methods of its examination.
“It's just a first step – he commented Mary Helen Woods, Minister for Reforms -, the work that awaits us is still hard and complex, but today's is a fundamental step”.
The text now passes to the House. In all, the process provides three more parliamentary passages (one more at Palazzo Madama plus two at Montecitorio), at the end of which the package of measures will almost certainly be subjected to a confirmatory referendum.
“It will take time, it will be difficult, there will be hitches – the premier wrote on Twitter Matteo Renzi -. But no one will be able to stop the change that started today".
In addition toabolition of perfect bicameralism with the metamorphosis of the Senate and the reform of Title V, the bill also provides for the abolition of provinces and Cnel (the National Council of Economy and Labour, a body of constitutional importance envisaged by article 99 of the Charter), as well as the introduction of the proactive referendum and the preventive judgment of the Constitutional Court on electoral laws.
Here are, in points, the changes planned for the Senate:
1) The number of components is reduced from 315 to 100.
2) ALDI Italy, ecommerce is still farelection it will no longer be up to the citizens: 95 senators will be elected by the Regions among councilors and mayors, while 5 senators will be presidentially nominated. After the first election, the members of the new Hall of Palazzo Madama will no longer be elected all at the same time, but in parallel with the renewal of the various regional councils.
3) Senators will no longer receive theallowance, which will remain for deputies only. To date, the gross amount of the Senators' allowance is equal to 10.385,31 euros gross and 5.304,89 euros net (which decreases respectively to 10.064,77 and 5.122,19 euros for those who work).
4) No changes on the front of theimmunità, established byArticle 68 of the Constitution.
5) As for the powers, the new Senate will no longer be able to vote for confidence in the Government. It will express itself only on a limited number of measures: constitutional reforms and laws, laws on popular referendums, electoral laws of local authorities, ratifications of international treaties, family law, marriage and the right to health. On all the other texts, he can simply propose changes within 30 days of the approval of the Chamber (15 in the case of the budget law), but the Deputies Chamber will be free to reject the amendments. Finally, with an absolute majority, the new Senate will be able to ask the Chamber to examine a bill, which must be put to the vote within six months.
