Sunday, December 4, 2016

Italians Go To the Polls In A Historic Constitutional Referendum Vote



New York Times: Matteo Renzi’s Fate Is at Stake as Italians Vote in Referendum

ROME — After months of ubiquitous, bitter and incessant campaigning, Italians voted on Sunday on key constitutional changes that have taken on broader significance as both a referendum on Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and a test of strength for anti-establishment forces in Europe.

In a continent that has for years seemed on the verge of financial crisis and political upheaval, Italy’s referendum on whether to streamline its baroque legislative process has become the latest flash point. Mr. Renzi has said he might resign if his reforms are rejected, a step that could provide yet another shock to an already unsteady European Union.

Anti-establishment parties have already smashed the traditional political structures in Greece and Spain, and euroskeptic forces led Britain out of the European Union in June.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: This has the potantial of shaking the EU in a manner that Brexit did a few months ago.

More News On Today`s Referendum Vote In Italy

Italians cast ballots in historic constitutional referendum vote -- CNN
Italians Vote in Referendum on Reform - and Renzi -- VOA
Italy referendum: The most dangerous moment for Europe since Brexit -- Lorenzo Genito, The Independent
Who is going to win the Italian referendum? -- The Independent
Will Quitaly sink the EU? Tomorrow, a 'No' vote in a referendum in Italy could lead it out of Europe - and spark an economic crisis -- Robert Hardman, Daily Mail
Italians Vote in Referendum That Will Bring Chaos -- Barbie Latza Nadeau, Daily Beast
Amid global anti-establishment anger, Italy may be next in line for upheaval -- Michael Birnbaum, Washington Post
This is what Italians are actually voting on in Sunday's crucial referendum -- Will Martin, Business Insider

5 comments:

Young Communist said...

To save or destroy the only thing good remain in ours national politics: the Constitution.

James said...

YC,
I really don't know anything about you guy's constitution, but I'm curious, what do you think is good about it or for that matter what is bad about it?

Young Communist said...

Hell Yeah! We won! Italy has won! Prime Minister Renzi resign!

Ahemm...

Article 1: Italy is a democratic Republic, founded on work.
The sovereignty belong to the people, that profess it in the form and the limit of the Constitution.
Articolo 1: L'Italia è una Repubblica democratica, fondata sul lavoro.
La sovranità appartiene al popolo, che la esercita nelle forme e nei limiti della Costituzione.

Avoiding the others articles, the first summarize many of the principles: democracy, focus on work, focus on people participation on government, discipline on Constitution laws.
Of course it protect also private property, personal freedom and religion freedom, equality and protection against any type of discrimination, solidarity, international cooperation and disown the use of war. Protect against abuse of power like other constitutions.
But more, grant free health and education and force the State to remove obstacles to peoples freedom, dignity, work dignity and participation in politic.

Despite that, for historical and political divisions, position in Cold War as defeated country and cultural lacking, too many times our constitution has betrayed or ignored. At certain point political parties have created a system that we called partitocrazia (partytocracy), when politics divide the country in various area of personal/party interests. That system survived Tangentopoli and the fall of the parties of the First Republic around early '90.

Long story short, the previous great reform on our Constitution was in 2001 about regional autonomy and competences. And it sucks. The second was in 2012 to impose balance on spending. And it sucks. Now that: 47 articles reform on administration of the State. Repairing the fail on regional competences but sacrificing eligibility of the Senate, power-up on partytocracy system and giving supremacy of the government in charge on crucial matters. And many other things some of them write in a confuse manner. All in.

With "Yes" the Constitution born from the Resistance against nazifascism is substantially dead. The real dream of economic elites and "shadow state". So, the "NO" way is the only way!

If you think I'm paranoid on "shadow state" read this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaganda_Due

James said...

YC,
No, I don't necessarily think you're paranoid and thanks for the info. Like I said I knew very little about your Constitution or politics.

Jay Farquharson said...

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Gladio