Italy, land of referendum: what's happening?
- Manuel De Maria
- Sep 14, 2021
- 3 min read
In recent weeks we have often heard of petitions for referendum questions. Euthanasia, justice, animal hunting and now also cannabis. What is it about and, above all, how is it possible so much turnout and as much media silence?
Several weeks ago Marco Cappato, famous for the Fabo affair, promoted the start of the collection of signatures for the referendum on legal euthanasia, much supported online and by many, many citizens. He actually looked like a fish out of water, Cappato, when he discovered he had reached more than 500,000 signatures in such a short time (at the time of writing this piece we are at 1,000,000).
A few days ago, from the same promoter group, the collection of signatures to decriminalize the possession of cannabis, making it, in fact, legal. Specifically: the penalty is eliminated in the event that cannabis is held (or cultivated) within the limits of the law (it is not used for illegal trafficking) and the penalty of suspension of the license for maintenance ONLY (and therefore NOT suspension) is removed. for driving after taking cannabis). But how is it possible that in just 72 hours (including nights!) 330,000 signatures have been exceeded? Simple. Thanks to digital signatures via SPID, and it's an incredible result!
In fact, on July 20 this year, thanks to Riccardo Magi, the possibility of being able to participate in the collection of signatures thanks to digital identity was added to the Simplification Law Decree.
A small, great revolution, which also allows us to break through the wall of the 500,000 signatures required to date to be able to endorse the collection of signatures and call the referendum. And all this is not to be underestimated.
Two of the most supported and least publicized signature collections are having a lot of success on social media and little prominence among traditional media and political parties (if we remove the promoters, + Europe for Cannabis and the Radicals for Euthanasia, for example). This makes us understand how much the possibility of overcoming the skirmishes of the parties that daily smuggle on very little "social" topics is now becoming concrete to bring to the table proposals that citizens really feel and that concern, more or less, everyone's life. . It is no coincidence that, for example, the much snubbed euthanasia is having a resonance at national level: once the threshold of 30 September (maximum deadline for collecting signatures to call a referendum) has been exceeded, there is a vote, no ifs and buts; the parties, at that point, will no longer be able to talk about anything. It is only a question of voting (quorum permitting) and, in fact, repealing (in the case of cannabis and euthanasia) existing rules.
Not only. The collection of signatures for the anti-hunting referendum is also making its way, as is the one for justice which, despite so many proclamations and publicity from the parties, seems to be trudging with respect to the others.
A new front is opening up for the referendum season, which however is not to be underestimated. Even if it is quite probable, at this point, that the minimum number will be at least doubled, thus bringing the minimum required signatures from 500,000 to 1,000,000, the fact remains that, to date, the great influencers of the web move these numbers with a simple story or with a trivial post. Therefore, the situation must be monitored absolutely, it being understood that the collection of signatures is only a simple step and that, in fact, a real referendum is needed to repeal or confirm a law.
But let's expect everything. Renzi, italian's former prime minister, said he wanted to collect signatures for a referendum on citizenship income, but we do not exclude that the referendum period has just begun.
A setback to the conservative and prohibitionist politics that, still in 2021, keeps us imprisoned a few decades ago and that now, thanks to the voice of the citizens, can be overcome and defeated. A great opportunity is given to us. Let's not waste it.
There is time until September 30 to sign in favor of the referendum questions in which you want to take part. Below, the referendum initiatives I support:
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