Italians vote for reduction of number of MPs

Although the referendum on reducing the number of MPs had the support of all parties, the ruling Five Star Movement took credit for the victory, believing voters responded to its pro-reform stance against the establishment.

At the end of the two-day referendum, turnout was 53 per cent, including those who voted from home or hospital because of quarantine or disease. An army of volunteers trained in protective equipment went from house to house to ensure that Italians with the virus can vote.

Those who went to the polls had to follow strict protocols of wearing masks and social distance.

Based on 95 percent of votes counted, 69 percent of Italians voted “Po” in the constitutional referendum for reducing the number of MPs, the Ministry of Internal Affairs said.

The proposal, which passed to parliament but not by a majority of two-thirds in order to pass without a referendum, lowers the number of MPs in the lower room from 630 to 400 and in the Senate from 315 to 200.

The Five Star Movement said it harmonises heavy Italian bureaucracy with other European countries and will save tens of millions of euros annually.

Today, governors were also voted in seven Italian regions: Campania, Marquez, Liguria, Puglia, Toscana, Aosta Valley and Venito. The extreme right could not conquer Toscana, the fortress of the left, which she hoped would transform into a triumphant symbol of her national ambitions.

The region's leftist candidate, Eugenio Gianni, won about 47 per cent of the vote, compared to 40 per cent of the support candidate Susan Cecardi received from the extreme right the League of Mateo Salvin, according to Italian television forecasts.

The left managed to save three regions -- Toscana, Pula and Champania -- but the centre-right and far-right united Front won Marche in the south of the government party of Giuseppe Conti, the Five Star Movement coalition and the Democratic Party.

Venice Governor Luka Zaija from the right-wing party League won the third term, according to poll results, the ANSA news agency reported.

Mayors' races were also held in 1,000 Italian cities.

Regional elections were scheduled for spring, but were postponed due to the Corona virus pandemic.

Italy has the second highest death toll from Coronavirus to Europe after Great Britain, with over 35,700 deaths.