Vote for non-residents, another black smoke. European elections at risk – Corriere.it

Another black smoke for the off-site vote. The five million people who have chosen (or had to) move away from their place of residence are at risk not even to vote in the next European Championships. The center-right majority has in fact decided to “rely on” an enabling law which gives the executive a year and a half to approve the law. A timing that goes well beyond June 9th 2024, the date on which Italian citizens will choose their own representatives of the European Parliament. But there is another point which does not meet the demands of the many associations that have been fighting for some time to fill this regulatory vacuum. The enabling law which on 4 July was approved in the House with 159 yes, zero against and 84 abstentions, and which is now awaiting scrutiny by the Senate, does not contain the Policies.

To be able to benefit from the right enshrined in Article 48 of the Constitution will be those who live in a different municipality (whether in Italy or abroad) for reasons of study, work, care or assist as a family caregiver; and there will be discounted rates for the entities and companies that manage transport services. But only for the European elections and referendums. Therefore (at least for now) the possibility for those who do not live in their own city to choose the representatives of the Italian Parliament is excluded. And making changes will be a choice in the hands of the government alone. The enabling law, in fact, allows the executive to exercise the legislative function by indicating the object, the timescales and principles that must be adhered to in order to give life to the new standard. This means, however, that Palazzo Chigi will deal with the matter, through a legislative decree, without “allowing” the Chambers to further discuss the matter and present amendments. Italy is the only European country that does not allow non-residents to vote together with Malta and Cyprus. Almost five million people (4.8 million, to be precise), 10% of the electoral audience, of which almost half take from four to twelve hours to reach their municipality. Not to mention the costs, which are often unsustainable. And if you consider that the majority are young people who study or work away from their homes, it is not surprising that abstention from the latest Policies, which for young people between 18 and 34 has reached almost 43%.

The Political Diary newsletter

If you want to stay updated on political news, subscribe to the newsletter “Political Diary”. It is dedicated to Corriere della Sera subscribers and arrives twice a week at 12. Just click here.