Referendum on justice: the date does not change. Mattarella signs the decree

Mattarella gives the go ahead to the new decree on referendum after a phone call with Meloni. The President would have told the Prime Minister that the solution adopted by the Council of Ministers for the referendum decree – the date unchanged but the question modified – would be “legally flawless“. According to Quirinale sources, in fact, the referendum question – the same for all proponents – would not have been replaced in substance but only integrated. The same Quirinale sources underline that the President invites everyone “to respect the Supreme Court and its decisions”.

The approval from the Head of State comes after the outcome of the Council of Ministers convened after the ordinance of theCourt of Cassationwhich yesterday accepted the ‘complaints’ of those who ask that citizens be informed of the articles of theConstitutionwhich will be modified. For greater clarity and respect for democratic rules: this is the thesis of the appellants who hoped to thus have more time to illustrate their support for the ‘no’ vote onseparation of magistrates’ careers e sul Superior Council of the Judiciarycomposed by lot for the members. But even over Palazzaccio’s decision the clash over the robes remains at zero in view of the consultation that will open.

“The decision of the Supreme Court to change thereferendum questionconfirms that thejustice reformit is a necessity. Just take a look at the judges of the Court of Cassation who decided to reformulate the question. Among these, Alfredo Guardiano, who will moderate a conference on the reasons for the No, and Donatella Ferranti, former PD deputy and president of the Justice commission until 2018″, says the FdI group leader in the Chamber,Galeazzo Bignami. “We need more – he continues – to realize that we can no longer wait to give backthird party to the judiciarymaking it independent from politics and currents and implementing article 111 of the Constitution? We need to vote Yes in the referendum”. “An impeccable decision on a legal level”, he tells AgiEnrico Costa(FI), vice-president of the Justice Commission of the Chamber and one of the promoters of the referendum on the constitutional reform of the Justice. “TheCouncil of Ministersacted correctly and linearly, implementing the indications contained in the ordinanceCourt of Cassationon the referendum question, and confirming the consultation date already set for 22 and 23 March”, declaresMatilde Siracusanoundersecretary for relations with Parliament and deputy of Forza Italia.

The reaction of the opposition

The ‘music’ changes on the opposite front: “The words ofGaleazzo Bignamifull of arrogance and arrogance, confirm the objective ofconstitutional amendmentsubjected to a referendum vote: taming thefree and independent judiciarysubmit it topolitical powerpunish the reprobate with hateful proscription lists, concentrate power on a single person. A subversive design of the constitutional order based onseparation of powers. Italians don’t want to go back 100 years, and for this reason on March 22 and 23 they will say no”, says the Democratic Party senator,Marco Meloni. “The Central Referendum Office, established at theCourt of Cassation e composto da 13 independent magistratesyesterday decided, in full autonomy, that the question proposed by the committee of jurists, on which 546 thousand signatures were collected, is clearer and more complete than the one previously adopted. Which is factually indisputable. The frightening coarseness and aggressiveness with which members of the majority – among these he distinguished himself – is strikingGaleazzo Bignamithe Fdi group leader in the Chamber who loved to dress up as a Nazi leader at parties – are asking for support for the Yes by contesting this decision with serious personal attacks and in total violation of the principle of separation and mutual respect between the powers of the State”, notes the Democratic Party senatorDario Parrinivice president of the Constitutional Affairs commission at Palazzo Madama. “What’s happening around thereferendum on justice reformit’s a shame”, he addsBonelli di Avs.

The first president of the Supreme Court, “intolerable allegations”

“Decisions of judicial bodies can always be criticized on a technical level with legal arguments. On the other hand, inferences are not tolerable on a personal level towards the judges, which results in a delegitimisation of the judicial function”. The first president of the Supreme Court Pasquale D’Ascola declared this in a note, underlining that “this is even more serious in relation to the college of the Central Referendum Officewhose composition is predetermined directly and exclusively by law”.

The Committee of 15 promoters of the new referendum question, it is a stretch to keep the date fixed

“The decision of the Council of Ministers to maintain the date of the referendum already set, while modifying the question according to the indications of the ordinance of the Central Office for the referendum which declared our request fully legitimate, does not allow us to take full advantage of the minimum deadline of 50 days provided by law for the referendum campaign, and does not take into account the desire of the 546,463 signatories to be correctly informed”: Carlo Guglielmi, spokesperson for the Committee of 15 promoters of the new referendum question. “We take note of this decision”, he added, “which represents, in our opinion, a stretch and we reserve the right to explain, during the next meetings, the numerous reasons why it is appropriate to vote No”. “The battle – he concludes – must not be on the date, but on the outcome of the referendum, and this affair also helps to make it clear the absolute necessity of defending our constitutional democracy”.