Italian Democracy Undermined by Calls to Abstain from Referenda, Claims Landini

Rome: Italian democracy was “gamed” by government appeals not to vote in the five referenda on labour and citizenship rights that failed to reach a quorum, said Maurizio Landini, the leader of the CGIL trade union that proposed them, following their failure on Monday.

According to Ansa News Agency, Landini criticized various government officials for urging citizens to avoid voting while being unaware of the referenda’s content. He emphasized that the CGIL had requested the referenda be held alongside local elections to ensure they met the quorum, which would have increased the likelihood of successful voter turnout.

Landini expressed concerns about the broader implications of the situation, stating, “Democracy is at stake here, not the CGIL.” His remarks highlighted the potential threat to democratic processes when voter participation is discouraged, especially on issues as significant as labour and citizenship rights.

In response to the failed referenda, some government officials suggested that Landini should follow the example of former premier Matteo Renzi, who resigned after losing a Constitutional referendum in 2016, and consider stepping down from his position. Despite these calls, Landini remained focused on the democratic principles at risk, rather than personal or organizational consequences.