Are you confused by recent events regarding the Regional elections in Italy? Here’s our guide:
What is an electoral list?
Since 2005 Italy has used a “party list” electoral system. This means that parties must submit lists of candidates prior to any elections and seats are allocated in proportion to the number of votes cast for each party.
When are the Regional elections in Italy?
Regional elections will take place in 13 regions on 28th – 29th March.
Why has Mr Berlusconi’s Party been barred from the election in Rome?
How did this happen?
A party worker, Alfredo Milioni, was entrusted with the task of submitting the list. He says that on 27th February he arrived at the electoral office in Rome at around 11.30 am. He at first said that, finding a long queue, he “popped out for a sandwich”. Later he said he had gone to check on his daughter, who was in his car. Later still he claimed that he went to fetch some important documents and finally that he was physically prevented from entering the building by opposition party members. There have also been suggestions that Mr Milioni was late because there was some last-minute arguing in the Party about candidates. Whatever happened, by the time Mr Milioni returned, at “about” 12.15, it was too late and he was told that the list could not be accepted.
What was Mr Berlusconi’s reaction?
As you can imagine, he was not, and is not, very happy. He claimed that opposition party workers had created some kind of distraction in the electoral office, causing Mr Milioni and other Pdl representatives to step back so that they were “1 centimetre” outside the premises at midday. Yesterday Mr Berlusconi accused “left-wing” magistrates of discriminating against his party.
Renata Polverini, Mr Berlusconi’s candidate for Governor of Lazio – the position formerly held by Piero Marrazzo – called upon President Napolitano to intervene.
What happened next?
The Pdl appealed the electoral office’s decision in a Rome court on Sunday 28th February but the court ruled against the Party.
On 3rd March a Rome appeal court upheld the first court’s decision.
What is the decree that everyone is talking about?
Late on Friday 5th March an emergency Cabinet meeting was held and a decree setting out guidelines on the “interpretation” of the rules regarding the presentation of electoral lists was approved. It basically says that a list can stand provided officials of the relevant party are in the electoral office at the time of the submission deadline, even if the list is not submitted.
Opposition politicians have called the decree “unconstitutional” because it changes electoral law during a campaign but the government insists that it gives guidelines on the interpretation of the rules rather than changing them.
President Napolitano has been criticised for signing the decree. He says that he did so to give citizens the opportunity to vote for their chosen parties.
Were there any more appeals?
Yes. On 8th March the Lazio TAR [Tribunale Amministrativo Regionale] also upheld the first court ruling.
What will happen next?
The Pdl has appealed to the Consiglio di Stato [Council of State], Italy’s highest administrative court, which will make a decision on 13th March.
Renata Polverini can stand for Governor of Lazio as a new ruling is not required for this.
Pdl candidates will not be able to stand in Rome and its Province unless the court ruling is overturned. They can stand in the rest of the Lazio Region.
Mr Berlusconi has called on his supporters to demonstrate on 20th March. Opposition supporters have already held national demonstrations on two occasions.
Wait a minute – wasn’t there a problem in Lombardy too?
Please remember that this is a constantly changing story!
