Italians vote to reduce size of parliament by one-third
- 4 years ago
무능•부패정치에 신물난 이탈리아 국민, 의원수 3분의 1 줄였다
A majority of Italians have voted in favor of a referendum to cut the size of the country's parliament.
The move is expected to bring some relief to the country with 1-point-56 lawmakers per 100-thousand people,... which is far above the OECD average of zero-point-97 lawmakers.
For more on this and other news around the world, let's turn to our Kim Jae-hee.
Jae-hee, tell us more about this reform.
Mok-yeon, this is undoubtedly an astonishing breakthrough in a country that has already seen seven failed attempts to reduce the number of lawmakers since 1983.
A two-day nationwide vote closed on Monday resulting in around 70 percent of Italians voting in favor of slashing the size of the parliament.
The number of senators will be reduced from 3-hundred-15 to two hundred, and lower house representatives will be cut from 6-hundred-30 to four hundred.
The referendum to downsize the parliament was backed by the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, part of the governing coalition that claimed the move would substantially reduce costs.
The change had already been passed in parliament, but needed to be backed by a referendum, because it amends the country's constitution.
Italy's Foreign Minister welcomed the result, describing it as "historic", but critics argue the reduction will only weaken the parliament's authority.
A majority of Italians have voted in favor of a referendum to cut the size of the country's parliament.
The move is expected to bring some relief to the country with 1-point-56 lawmakers per 100-thousand people,... which is far above the OECD average of zero-point-97 lawmakers.
For more on this and other news around the world, let's turn to our Kim Jae-hee.
Jae-hee, tell us more about this reform.
Mok-yeon, this is undoubtedly an astonishing breakthrough in a country that has already seen seven failed attempts to reduce the number of lawmakers since 1983.
A two-day nationwide vote closed on Monday resulting in around 70 percent of Italians voting in favor of slashing the size of the parliament.
The number of senators will be reduced from 3-hundred-15 to two hundred, and lower house representatives will be cut from 6-hundred-30 to four hundred.
The referendum to downsize the parliament was backed by the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, part of the governing coalition that claimed the move would substantially reduce costs.
The change had already been passed in parliament, but needed to be backed by a referendum, because it amends the country's constitution.
Italy's Foreign Minister welcomed the result, describing it as "historic", but critics argue the reduction will only weaken the parliament's authority.