Italian MS5 Movement Warns Constitutional Reform to Silence Regional Voices

An Italian lawmaker from the opposition Five Stars Movement (M5S) told Sputnik that Italian regions' voices will be left unheard if the country votes for a constitutional reform in a December referendum.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Voices of the Italian regions will be left unheard if Italy votes for a constitutional reform in the December 4 referendum, an Italian lawmaker from the opposition Five Stars Movement (M5S) told Sputnik while visiting Moscow in a bid to discuss anti-Russia sanctions and bilateral cooperation, as well as to convince the Italians living in Russia to resist possible constitutional changes.

"This reform can dramatically change the political system. We won't be able to choose the Italian Senate. The reforms proposed in the name of cutting bureaucracies, are, in fact, dangerous to democracy in the country. Voices of the Italian regions will be drowned out," Michele Dell'Orco said.

He added that M5S is campaigning against constitutional reforms and wants to convince the Italians leaving in Russia to vote against proposed constitutional changes.

On August 8, the Italian Court of Cassation approved the holding of the referendum on the constitutional changes which would see the Senate's powers limited in hopes to put an end to deadlocked government and political paralysis, frequently seen in present-day Italy. It is also expected to give a winning party a chance to govern without forming shaky coalitions by introducing the system of run-off elections.

The opponents of the changes, including M5S, Forza Italia and Lega Nord parties, fear the reform could remove democratic checks and balances and lead to the over-centralization of power. Polls have shown the "yes" and "no" camps almost neck-and-neck, with many voters still undecided.