THE passage of a pair of referendums seeking greater autonomy for two wealthy regions in Italy is “a lesson in democracy for Europe”, the head of Italy’s right-wing Northern League party said.
Voters in the neighbouring Lombardy and Veneto regions overwhelmingly supported ballot measures which asked for more power from Rome.
The peaceful votes reflect the same drive for greater self-determination that has been blighted by conflict in Spain’s Catalonia region, party leader Matteo Salvini said.
Salvini, whose party controls both regions, said: “Five and a half million citizens yesterday chose to vote, which tells us that there is high hope for the future in Italy.
“The reforms start from the bottom, notwithstanding vested interests.”
Regional leaders are seeking to take over such government functions as education, immigration, security and the environment, as well as retaining more tax revenue, on the basis of the popular opinion expressed on Sunday.
Unlike the October 1 independence vote in Catalonia, the non-binding Lombardy and Veneto referendums did not ask voters if they want to break away from Italy.
The Italian measures also were approved by Italy’s constitutional court.
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