The Senate approved the constitutional bill on the premiership with 109 yes, 77 no and one abstention, which among other things contains the changes necessary for the direct election of the prime minister. The measure now passes to the House.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is satisfied: «The reform of the premiership passes to the Senate. A first step forward to strengthen democracy, give stability to our institutions, put an end to palace games and give citizens back the right to choose who governs them", his comment after the white smoke at Palazzo Madama.
The opposition, however, is controversial. «Giorgia Meloni, unable to address the country's problems, tries to change the Constitution, stating that constitutional reform is absolutely necessary. That, indeed, she is unable to govern because institutional constraints prevent her from doing so", stated the PD group leader Francesco Boccia in his explanation of vote. Adding: «Who cares if Italy will be even more divided. Is it a system that does not exist in any other Western, democratic country? It doesn't matter, it's a success or a failure," concluded Boccia.
Even the M5S, through Stefano Patuanelli, speaks of a "wrong reform". «Outside these halls – said the five-star senator addressing the majority – there is a country that wants to express itself on this issue. He will do it in the referendum dynamics and I am convinced that he will do it consciously by rejecting this reform and it will be the beginning of your political decline".
(Unioneonline/lf)