(See related)
The centre-left Democratic Party (PD)
said Wednesday that it and other opposition parties would seek a
referendum to scrap the government's law bringing in
'differentiated autonomy'.
"The PD is ready to immediately collect signatures for a
referendum against the 'Split Italy' law along with with the
other opposition parties, other movements and civil society," PD
Senate whip Francesco Boccia told ANSA after the law enabling
regions to request greater powers and control over the taxes
raised in their areas won final approval
"You (the ruling coalition) leave us no choice but to collect
signatures for a referendum that will surely reject the 'Split
Italy' law''.
There were also critical voices within the coalition supporting
Premier Giorgia Meloni's government.
Calabria Governor Roberto Occhiuto of Forza Italia (FI) said the
centre-right party's lawmakers from his region did not vote for
the bill.
"I do not know whether the minimal electoral advantage that the
centre-right will have in the North will compensate for the
opposition and concerns that centre-right voters have in the
South," Occhiuto said.
"I understand the reasons of the Calabrian Forza Italia MPs -
Francesco Cannizzaro, Giuseppe Mangialavori and Giovanni
Arruzzolo - who decided not to vote for this law.
"It was their decision, which I agreed with.
"I fear that the centre-right at the national level has made a
mistake, something which it will soon realise".
Lombardy Governor Attilio Fontana, on the other hand, was
jubilant.
"We can say that the Constitution has won, Italy has won,"
Fontana said.
"As soon as the law is promulgated we are ready to send requests
to the government, definitely for two important matters, health
and the environment, and then for some others".
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
