Italians are just recovering from the weekend traffic chaos that marked their return from seaside locations. Queues of up to 200km led the Italian media to term the return one of "biblical proportions". The majority of the traffic problems where around the big cities, and especially in Emilia-Romagna, where cars where hardly moving for several hours.
This week starts with two big debates in Italy: the future of the Euro in Italy; and the referendum on stem cell research and artificial insemination.
The future of the euro
On the economy front, and bolstered by the "NO" vote of France and the Netherlands on the European Constitution, the Reform minister Calrderoli of the secessionist Lega Nord party is asking for Italy to exit the Euro. Although the Lega Nord party has a relatively small minority it is crucial to the unity of the Berlusconi government and, as a result, highly influential. According to Calderoli the Euro is to blame for the woes of the Italian economy and Italy should return to a lira linked to the dollar. Although the idea is dismissed by several government members as well as the opposition, a direct attack by Calderoli on President Ciampi - as partly responsible for the current economic situation- meant that Berlusconi had to intervene to request that the Reform minister and his party refrain from demagogical rhetoric. It remains to be seen whether the Lega Nord will attempt to force a referendum on the future of the Euro in Italy.
Referendum on artificial insemination
On the 12th and 13th of June Italians are voting on a complex referendum dealing with the laws on artificial insemination and stem cell research. The referendum asks whether key parts of the current law be changed in order to allow more flexibility for artificial insemination and stem cell research. A "Yes" vote would remove some of the main barriers that make Italy one of the least accommodation countries in Europe on both issues, while a "No" vote would retain the current status quo. The referendum has created considerable controversy, especially since the Catholic Church has taken a strong "No" stand on any changes in the current law. Several political figures both from the left and right are also calling for people not to vote since for the referendum to be approved a participation of 50.1 percent of the electorate is required. The reasoning behind a "no show" is that this will demonstrate that people are not happy with the current law but neither do they agree with the changes as proposed. In the latest turn of events the administration of RAI is accused of not devoting enough time to the debate.
