Firstly, I’d like to thank all of the readers who added their positive, supportive comments to my blog “Il Referendum”. It’s very encouraging to see how many people appreciate what an important democratic outcome the referendum had for us Italians. When I wrote my first blog about the referendum I had a feeling that people not familiar with Italian politics and bureaucracy would find it difficult to understand how it actually works (come funziona), hence this second blog.

Allora, why do we have to vote SÌ (YES) if we are against something? The first reason lies in the Italian Constitution, which states that “il referendum può essere solo abrogativo” (the referendum can only repeal a law). Therefore, if we are against a law introduced by the government we have to vote “SÌ” all’abrogazione della legge (“YES” to the revocation of the law). On the other hand, if we want to save a law we must vote “NO” all’abrogazione della legge (“NO” to the revocation of the law). For example, in 1974 Italians were asked if they wanted to reject a recently introduced law which legalized divorce. In this case the majority of people said “NO”, which meant that they agreed that divorce should be legal and that they wanted the law to be maintained.

The second reason that makes the Italian referendum system complicated is the manner in which the questions are formulated. Italian bureaucrats love “il burocratese” (bureaucratic language), which gives them a sense of power, and makes even the simplest matters incredibly difficult for ordinary people to understand. Here is an example from the recent referendum:

QUESITO N.1:

Modalità di affidamento e gestione dei servizi pubblici locali di rilevanza economica

“Volete Voi che sia abrogato l’art. 23-bis (Servizi pubblici locali di rilevanza economica) del decreto-legge 25 giugno 2008, n. 112 “Disposizioni urgenti per lo sviluppo economico, la semplificazione, la competitività, la stabilizzazione della finanza pubblica e finanza la perequazione tributaria”, convertito, con modificazioni, in legge 6 agosto 2008, n. 133, come modificato dall’art. 30, comma 26, della legge 23 luglio 2009, n. 99, recante “Disposizioni per lo sviluppo e l’internazionalizzazione delle imprese, nonché in materia di energia”, e dall’art. 15 del decreto-legge 25 settembre 2009, n. 135, recante “Disposizioni urgenti per l’attuazione di obblighi comunitari e per l’esecuzione di sentenze della corte di giustizia della Comunità europea”, convertito, con modificazioni, in legge 20 novembre 2009, n. 166, nel testo risultante a seguito della sentenza n. 325 del 2010 della Corte costituzionale?”

Wow! I’m looking at it again after two weeks and still I don’t know what it really says! I can’t even try and translate it, it’s complete gibberish. So, how do we form our opinions? We read the newspapers, search the Internet, discuss issues with friends, and listen to those politicians who seem to be the most trustworthy. But believe me, it’s not easy!