 |
Dec 23 - Jan 6, 2001 |
Another step forward for immigrants
Italy's Chamber of Deputies approves vote from citizens living outside of the country
By Marina Maresca
Originally Published: 2001-12-02
 |
|
Mirko Tremaglia
|
Italy's Chamber of Deputies passed the law that will enable Italians to vote from abroad. This means that as soon as the Senate follows suit, the amendments to the Constitution creating the "Abroad" electoral ward with 12 deputies and six senators, will go into effect. The Chamber approved this new step forward of a much-expected law with large support: 412 votes coming from the majority and from the DS and Margherita opposition parties; 35 votes against, cast from the Greens, PRC (Communist Refounders), PCDI (Communists), and SDI (Socialists); and 20 blanks.
With 315 votes approving it, 141 against and six blanks, the Chamber also passed Article 8 of the enacting regulation, where the law had risked running aground.
Only people living and working abroad will thus be permitted to run for MP in the new electoral ward. Minister for Italians Abroad Mirko Tremaglia, who's been doggedly pursuing the approval of this law for years, had threatened to resign if the article were abridged because he saw it as an expropriation of the rights of Italian communities all over the world.
"I felt a sting of fear when a secret ballot was held on that article, but in the end everything went well," confessed Tremaglia, who declared his satisfaction for the support shown by the opposition as well as the majority. "This is one of the finest pages in the history of our Parliament, a law that was really supported by all the main parties. I may be the first signatory, but it really belongs to us all." Tremaglia announced his intention to bring the good news to communities abroad personally. He's convinced that the Senate will not amend the text just approved by the Chamber of Deputies.
The Opposition is also eager to highlight the decisive role played by the Centre-Left government in the last legislature.
The newly elected secretary of the DS, Piero Fassino, is very satisfied. "An important step forward has been taken," declared Fassino, "along the path that made this complex law to be enacted. Once again, the responsible behaviour of the major parliamentary forces and the willingness to respect our commitments have produced the expected results." He reminds the audience that the procedure began when he was under-secretary of State for the Foreign Ministry, with specific powers for Italians abroad.
Page 1/...Page 2
|
| Home / Back to Top |
|
|
 |
|
|
</ td>
