The Italian government has announced that its referendum on constitutional reform will be held on 4 December.
Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has staked his premiership on the outcome. Some analysts see the vote as a major risk for Europe as it has the power to shake up Italian politics and economy.
The reforms have been hailed as the most important in Italy since WWII. They seek to streamline the country’s parliament and its electoral system with the aim of introducing greater political stability.
The role of the Senate would be diminished, with its numbers scaled down from 315 to 100 with many appointed rather than elected.
The upper house would not take part in confidence votes in the government and would deal with a limited number of new laws.
If approved, the changes would end the existing requirement for each law to be approved by both chambers of parliament. This was instituted after the end of the war to block any return to fascism, but is viewed today as a source of political paralysis and frequent change of government.
Since 1945, 63 governments have presided over the country. In the last six years, Italy has had four prime ministers – Berlusconi, Monti, Letta and now Renzi.
Renzi’s problem may turn out to be that the referendum could be perceived by some voters as a vote on his performance over the last 2.5 years.
Initially, he said he would quit if the measures are not approved. Since then he has been more cautious, saying it had been “a mistake to personalise” the vote but his intent had been to convey “a message of seriousness and responsibility."
A Committee for No has been created by opponents from both right-wing and left-wing parties.
The latest opinion poll shows that opinion in on a knife edge, running 51% in favour and 49% against.
