The risk of low turnout is what scares the Yes committees in the referendum the most. Center-right voters now have no more excuses.
There is a rush on both sides to say that the referendum on justice is not a political referendum, that only the merits of the text need to be taken into consideration. It is obvious that it is said this way, neither the proposing right nor the opposing left wish for a possible defeat, on the contrary they fear it like fire and this is already, however, a purely political fact. But there’s more: deciding whether or not to reform justice is a “partisan” choice, a decision that has to do with the idea that everyone has of society and democracy.
So let’s get out of hypocrisy: that of March 22nd and 23rd coming is a political vote and as such it must be taken into consideration, not so much because it must produce immediate consequences but because it will certainly influence the future path of the current majority. For two reasons. The first is that it will be a test of the strength of the pact between the center-right and its voters to reform this wretched country: the exponents of the parties we sent to Parliament to represent their duty to us, for once, have done it and now it is up to us citizens to support them and confirm their choices. The second reason is even vital, if we want to try to lead Italy steadily on track liberals and conservatives.
The political effects of the result
Let me explain: whatever anyone says, it is inevitable that a victory for the No would not only be a defeat for the centre-right but could change the mood which still today – after more than three years of government – is blowing in its favour, as all the polls show. In other words, if Yes were to lose, the victory of the current majority in next year’s general elections would no longer be a given, which is certainly not a good prospect. But not only that: if the next elections are not won, the historic opportunity of having the parliamentary numbers to elect the president of the Republic who in 2029 will replace Sergio Mattarella and then goodbye to the dream of having an exponent of liberal and conservative culture at the Quirinale for the first time in the recent history of the country. In other words, we risk letting the dream of aligning the powers of the state along the lines we care about die at dawn, so that it is clear to everyone that without a head of state in full harmony with the government, every effort by the latter will be in vain or severely limited.
The call to vote and what’s at stake
Well, only we citizens as voters can avoid all these risks by going to vote Yes to justice reform. Is it a huge sacrifice? I really don’t think so, it isn’t absolutely and it isn’t if we are aware of what is really at stake which goes well beyond the separation of magistrates’ careers and other technicalities of the kind. Pollsters maintain that victory will depend on turnout: the more Italians who go to the polls, the more sure Yes will be of bringing home the result. Therefore, no more than a weekend at the seaside, no more ifs, buts, doubts and distractions: everyone at the polls on the 22nd and 23rd, it’s the best way – the only way – to really think about our own business.■ © all rights reserved
