On October 22, voters are called to the polls to express their opinion on Veneto’s autonomy: here’s what you need to know.
Veneto, like Lombardy, is affected by the referendum that will take place on October 22, 2017. But what is the exact question voters will have to answer?
“DO YOU WANT THE VENETO REGION TO BE GRANTED FURTHER FORMS AND SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF AUTONOMY?”
On the ballot paper, you just need to mark your preference: YES or NO. In the image you will see a sample.
For more information and to delve deeper into the topic, we also invite you to check the website of the Veneto Region.
Veneto’s Autonomy: The Objective
The objective of this referendum is to obtain greater independence and forms of autonomy from the Italian State, specifically for the Veneto Region in this case.
What Happens If YES Wins?
It is a consultative referendum, meaning the opinion of Veneto voters will be sought, and this is in full compliance with the Italian Constitution.
With the victory of YES in the referendum, Veneto will not become autonomous automatically, but it will authorize Zaia to start negotiations with the Italian State, to gain more autonomy in administrative, legislative, and financial areas, like all other Italian regions with special statutes.
For YES to win, a majority of eligible voters must participate in the referendum and 50% of the votes must be positive.
The outcome, however, will not be binding, but the current council or the one that follows can decide whether to pursue the request for greater autonomy or not.
It is important to specify that making Veneto and Lombardy special statute regions, like Sicily, Sardinia, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Valle d’Aosta, and Trentino Alto Adige, is not under discussion.
We offer you a video from Noi Veneto, where you will find the opinions of several prominent figures explaining why to vote YES.
What Is the Alternative to YES for Veneto’s Autonomy?
A group of young Veneto citizens has a completely opposite opinion and proposes abstention from the referendum, their goal is to prevent the 50% quorum from being reached.
They have repeatedly stated that they are not against Veneto’s autonomy (they support abstention and not NO) but they are against the methods by which the region is asking for autonomy; indeed, they argue that the ways to request it are completely different and have never been pursued by the region.
They also claim that the League is proposing it now, politicizing it, given that next year there will be political elections, and that when they were in government they had every opportunity to request greater autonomy, holding various ministries, and never did.
We also offer you another video where various reasons for abstention and frequently asked questions regarding the referendum on Veneto’s autonomy are explained.
What to Do Then?
Our invitation is to listen to as many voices as possible, trying to understand the various motivations, and then draw your own conclusion and not be influenced but be as rational as possible in the choice.
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