Milan, Jan. 2 (LaPresse) – “The date” of the referendum on justice reform “has not yet been set. Presumably in the second half of March.” This was stated by Justice Minister Carlo Nordio in an interview with Corriere della Sera. Asked whether it is true that the government wants to speed up the process because it fears that polls currently favorable to the Yes vote might change, the Minister of Justice replied: “If anything, it’s the opposite. We are convinced that the more we inform voters about the content and importance of this reform, the more we will bring them to the polls, and with positive results.”
Has the Quirinale also slowed things down compared to an accelerated timeline? “It is always our most authoritative interlocutor, especially on such delicate matters. But in this case our considerations were motivated by the novelty of the private citizens’ signature-collection initiative,” he added.
According to Nordio, “it is the ANM that said no” to a face-to-face debate. “I asked for a one-on-one discussion. First, President Parodi refused. Then Secretary Maruotti, and then everyone else. At first, they said they did not want to turn it into politics. Then, since they had participated in debates with politicians, they adjusted their stance: saying it’s okay to discuss with other politicians, but not with government officials. If they don’t come, it means they are afraid of a debate with me.”
“The ANM,” Nordio added, “has formed a committee for the No vote, and this in itself was a political act. Yet they refused a debate with me, claiming they did not want to assign it political significance, which is already a contradiction. I presume, and hope, that for consistency they will not debate with any other party representatives; otherwise, it would mean they fear a public debate with the Minister of Justice. As for me, I have already said I am ready, even tomorrow.”
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