Italy has voted to reduce the size of the country's parliament by more than a third, according to exit polls.
According to a projection by the state
broadcaster, more than 67% of people voted in favor of the change.
The number of MPs in the lower house will
be reduced’ from 634 to 400. The Senate will also be’ reduced.
The referendum was pushed forward by the
Five Star Movement, part of a coalition government that said it would cut
costs.
The move, which reduces the total number
of MPs and senators from 945 to 600, was already pushed’ through parliament.
But he needed to support the referendum
because he had amended the constitution. Changes will have to be made’ before
the 2023 elections.
Five-star senior Foreign Minister Luigi Di
Mayo called the result "historic."
"We can go back to the general
parliament with less concessions and 345 fewer seats," he said.
Last October, Five Star said that
smoothing out parliament would save the country 1 1 billion (9 918 million) in
10 years.
However, critics say the move would weaken
democracy.
The referendum was held’ with very few
regional elections.
Right-wing opposition leader Matthew
Salvini said he was planning a clean sweep, but his party wanted to take
advantage of the area east of Marquez. He was in charge of the other two areas.
The center-left Democratic Party has
occupied three areas already ruled, including Tuscany.
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