ROME: The Italian government yesterday adopted a rough timetable and guidelines for reforms to the country’s constitution aimed at streamlining Italy’s unwieldy political system by the end of 2014.
The bill adopted by the cabinet laid down a schedule to be completed by October next year but did not detail the reforms, which are to be proposed by a new Committee for Constitutional Reform.
“The bill sets out the playing field and fixes the length of the game,” Reform Minister Gaetano Quagliariello said, adding that the government would not interfere with the committee’s work. The committee will be advised by a group of 35 experts appointed by Prime Minister Enrico Letta.
The reforms — which are expected to include proposals to cut the number of lawmakers and the high costs associated with politics — will go to a vote in parliament and likely be put to a referendum.
Among other reforms, the committee is expected to propose cutting the number of members of parliament from the 915 currently elected to the upper and lower house.
Reforms could also include overhauling the country’s complicated electoral system blamed for creating a two-month political deadlock following inconclusive elections in February. AFP
