First obstacle overcome for the majority on the path to reform of the electoral law. The centre-right rejects, by secret ballot, the 5 constitutionality preliminary rulings presented by the opposition in the Chamber. Giving a notable proof of unity with 229 nos. To the votes of the centre-right are added those of Futuro Nazionale which explains that it does not want to vote for "ridiculous prejudices" and returns to express its opinion on an important vote together with the majority.
On the other hand, Action criticizes the text, rejects its method and timing, and votes no with the other oppositions. For the secret vote in Montecitorio - even after the Prime Minister's messages in the last few days - there is a full house on the big occasions: in the centre-right, with the tabulations in hand, only 7 deputies out of 233 are absent and 3 on mission, including the Prime Minister and the minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin. And even on the opposition side the benches are full from the first morning and all the leaders show up. Now all eyes are on October 8, with the final, secret vote, which will have to give the green light to the reform. A vote which, as FdI's organizational manager, Giovanni Donzelli, does not hide, "has enormous political value". But which the centre-right, after today's test, approaches with a few less thoughts.
"At a parliamentary level it went", predicts, in defiance of superstition, a Northern League member commenting on today's outcome, then "we will have to see the Consulta". However, between now and then there is the next decisive week: on Monday morning the government will give three confidence votes on the first three articles of the measure which were modified in the Senate. The first two (on which around sixty amendments were presented in the Chamber) concern preferences and signatures. The third, which will be voted on on Wednesday again with confidence, concerns a territorial revision of the constituencies of Merano, Bolzano and Bressanone. There are no amendments on this point but it is still possible to ask for a secret vote on the article. And therefore, to avoid showing one's side to any malpancists of the majority, taking advantage of this 'smaller' rule, trust will be placed here too. Instead, we will vote without confidence but by open ballot (because on this matter not directly linked to the transformation of votes into seats, asking for secrecy is not possible) on the amendment to article 8 regarding the extension of the vote of non-residents to caregivers, however there are no amendments and it was voted unanimously at Palazzo Madama. At this point, after the examination of the agendas on the afternoon of 7 October, the final vote on the text will be held the following day at 12.30. And if the majority has breathed a sigh of relief for now, the opposition is preparing to continue its battle. Also aiming to exploit the reform of the voting system to recreate the referendum spirit of last March.
"If this massacre of yours is approved - says the Dem Gianni Cuperlo - from the following day the battle will move out of these chambers into the country and into the squares with an Italy that does not give in, as happened on the Referendum". Meanwhile, in the Chamber, the accusations multiply. "This is a desperate majority trying to bolt into power", attacks M5s. "It's unconstitutional, yet another stretch", underlines Nicola Fratoianni of Avs. While Roberto Giachetti attacks the fact that, even with this law "a decisive part of those elected is predetermined by the parties". "Among the most unconstitutional and anti-democratic provisions of this electoral law is that of increasing the subscriptions necessary to stand for elections" says Riccardo Magi, returning to make an appeal for digital signatures for which he continues his hunger strike.
