EU Exit Vote 12/4 in Italy

Italy has scheduled a referendum vote to remain or quit the EU on 12/4/16. If this passes, Italy will be the next country to follow the UK. France may follow.

Italy referendum explained: When is the vote and could the result destroy the EU? Italy is set to vote in a referendum on major constitutional reform next month, but could the result tear apart the crumbling EU? by Reiss Smith 11/23/16

The country will vote in a referendum on constitutional reform, which has the backing of pro-EU Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

Me Renzi has promised to resign if the referendum fails. He told a radio host: "If I have to stay on in parliament and do what everyone else has done before me, that is, to scrape by and just float there, that does not suit me."

Many believe that by quitting, the Prime Minister could make way for the Eurosceptic Five Star Movement (MS5) to gain power. The party has pledged to call another referendum if it gets into office – this time on ditching the Euro.

Meanwhile in France, presidential front-runner Marine Le Pen has pledged to hold a Frexit referendum should she win next year's elections. The combination of both results could spark a fresh Eurozone crisis just months after the UK voted to leave the bloc.

What is the Italy referendum about?

The referendum is over the introduction of major reforms to the country’s notoriously slow and costly government. Italy has a “perfect” bicameral system – meaning its two chambers have the same powers as each other, leading to political gridlocks.

Mr Renzi is now calling to radically transform the Senate and reduce its powers  – from a chamber of 315 directly elected politicians and six lifetime appointees to smaller “Senate of Regions”.

The new parliament would have just 100 seats – 74 regional councillors, 21 majors and five presidential nominees – with the latter serving for seven years rather than for life.

Mr Renzi’s reform would tip the balance of power towards the Chamber of Deputies – Italy’s equivalent of the House of Commons.

The Senate would retain its veto on constitutional matters, but the Deputies would have the final say on everyday bills. The Senate would also be able to examine bills if a third of its members wish to do so, although its suggestions will not be binding.

Both chambers have already voted in favour of the the changes, but the measures did not reach the required two-thirds majority to force the legislation through. Hence, a referendum has been called.

When is the Italy referendum? Italy will vote on the constitutional reform on December 4.

Will Italy leave the EU?

MS5 has abandoned plans for a vote on membership of the EU, and instead is focusing its energies on reforming the bloated and undemocratic bloc.

Luigi Di Maio, vice president of the Chamber of Deputies and de facto leaders of MS5, said: “In the throngs of Brexit, some have begun to speak of ‘Italexit’. But no one talked about this before.”

Mr. Renzi has played down comparisons to the Brexit vote. He said: "I don't believe it will be the same thing. The UK held a referendum on Europe, and in my opinion the EU was blamed for everything that failed to happen.

"The Italian referendum is something else - we've been saying for 30 years constitutional reforms are needed because we have the largest and costliest parliament in the world, and I will do everything in my power to make sure the constitutional reform law is voted on its merits."

http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/711044/italy-referendum-explained-result-tear-eu-apart-exit

Comments

Italy has become a government jobs program.  The cost of government is unsustainable.  The added cost of EU membership makes it even more unsustainable.  Their current Prime Minister “gets it”. Like the other EU members, the UN Refugee edict is the last straw. The 20,000 refugees in Italy are doing a lot of damage.  Italy is tourist-dependent and if these refugees have reduced tourism, Italians would be quick to remedy the situation.

Italy’s private sector economy needs to grow and Italians need to shrink their bill for government across the board. If they quit the EU, they will get rid of oppressive EU laws and fees.  If they streamline their own government, they will provide room for free market expansion. EU globalist oriented bankers are going nuts. They know that France is next.

The question is: Will Italian voters have the courage to vote to get rid of their EU membership. Italians have lived with no opportunities for generations. Most jobs are government jobs. Pay is low and productivity is low and every Italian you meet will tell you so. They live poor, but they try to be happy with their lot in life.

Prime Minister Renzi would not have scheduled this vote unless he saw a clear path forward, so this is as much a vote of confidence as it is to change course. If Italians vote to quit the EU, that means they see the path forward and agree with it. 

The corruption in the Italian government system is familiar. You get jobs based on who you know and regulations discourage competition with well-connected, established companies and groups.

This cronyism worked for US immigrants in 1900, but it was relatives helping relatives. Eventually, these immigrants established their own futures. That never happens in Italy. They are just stuck in multi-generational stagnation.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader