Italian opposition calls for Berlusconi's resignation following referendum results

[News_Editor]

Italian opposition calls for Berlusconi's resignation following referendum results

2011-06-14 19:47:36 GMT+7 (ICT)

ROME, ITALY (BNO NEWS) -- Italy's center-left opposition has called for the resignation of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi following the rejection of four government proposals in a nationwide referendum, the ANSA news agency reported.

Pier Luigi Bersani, leader of the center-left Democratic Party, urged Italy's President Giorgio Napolitano to address the issue and "create a new situation." Citizens had rejected Berlusconi's proposals in the referendum - two on the privatization of water, one to resume Italy's nuclear program, and the other for allowing the PM to miss his trial hearings.

According to the latest figures disclosed by the Italian Interior Ministry, about 57 percent of those eligible to vote turned out to participate in the referendum. The referendum results are clear evidence of the current political crisis, said Bersani.

"This has been a referendum on the divorce between the government and the country," added Minister Bersani in regards to the voting which began on Sunday and ended on Monday afternoon.

However, Berlusconi denied that the results were a major blow to his government and instead said that the high turnout demonstrated the "will of Italians to participate in the decisions of the nation's future."

"For those who believe that a referendum is not the most suitable instrument for dealing with complex issues, the will of Italians is clear on all the topics of consultation and cannot be ignored," said the PM.

A quorum of 50 percent plus 1 was required to validate the vote. The outcome of the four ballots brought down the right-wing government's plans for an ambitious nuclear program and water privatization projects.

Berlusconi's government was planning the construction of four nuclear power plants after announcing in 2010 the plans to restart Italy's nuclear program which was abandoned in 1987 following the Chernobyl disaster.

The nuclear revival was one of the key objectives of Berlusconi's policy platform as well as reducing Italy's reliance on foreign energy. In addition, the Italian Premier is facing court proceedings in regards to underage prostitution, fraud and abuse of power charges.

Berlusconi has said that the charges against him are part of a political agenda to take power from the ruling coalition and refused stepping down. Previously, the 74-year-old Premier announced that he will not seek reelection in 2013 after his current term runs out.

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