Referendums in Italy

Referendums In Italy

The Constitution of Italy provides for only two kinds of legally binding referendums:

• a popular referendum, which can only be called in order to decide on whether to abrogate (i.e., abolish) totally or partially an existing law;
• a constitutional referendum, which can only be called in order to decide on whether to approve a constitutional law or amendment.

Despite that the constitutional right to hold a popular referendum has existed since the Italian constitution was approved in late 1947, the necessary legislation detailing the bureaucratic procedures needed to have them was not approved until the early 1970s. As a consequence of this, Italy's first popular referendum was not held until 1974, 27 years after the constitution was first approved.

The first constitutional referendum was held in 2001, 54 years after the constitution was approved. All previous constitutional amendments had been approved by the supermajority of the Parliament, denying the possibility to call a referendum.