Berlusconi recognises humiliating defeat

ITALIAN Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi recognised a humiliating defeat last night in referendums aimed at blocking nuclear power and abolishing a law intended to give him legal immunity.

Data showed a turnout of 57%. More than 50% turnout was needed for the referendums to have legal force.

More than 90% voted against the government in the four referendum questions. There was one question each on nuclear use and immunity law and two on water privatisation.

“The high turnout in the referendums shows a will on the part of citizens to participate in decisions about our future that cannot be ignored,” Berlusconi said.

“The will of Italians is clear on all the subjects of this consultation. The government and parliament must now respond fully.”

Hundreds partied in the streets of Rome as the results came in.

The setback for Berlusconi comes after his embattled People of Freedom party lost mayoral elections in Milan and Naples last month — a failure that already had many commentators predicting his demise.

The government had urged its supporters to stay away from the polls but switched to damage control mode as the first results came in, warning critics not to make too much of the referendums.

A spokesman for the ruling party said critics should not see “a meaning or a political effect” in the votes, while defence minister Ignazio La Russa said there would be “no effect on government policy”.

But Umberto Bossi, the leader of Berlusconi’s junior coalition partner, the Northern League, was more critical.

“Berlusconi has lost the ability to communicate on television. That’s the simple truth,” he said.

The nuclear vote will put a definitive stop to Berlusconi’s aim of restarting Italy’s atomic energy programme by 2014, plans that are already under a temporary moratorium following the Fukushima disaster in Japan.

“Following a decision being taken by the Italian people, Italy will probably have to say goodbye to the issue of nuclear power stations,” Berlusconi said.

“We will have to commit strongly to the renewable energy sector.”

A vote against Berlusconi’s partial immunity law was also expected to give a strong signal of voter disenchantment over his legal woes.

The 74-year-old is a defendant in three trials involving allegations of bribery, fraud and paying for sex with a 17-year-old girl.

A Constitutional Court ruling already curbed much of Berlusconi’s legal protection, but the “legitimate impediment” law also voted on is still officially in place.

Under that law, the premier may decide not to appear at a court case he is due to attend if he decides he has important government business to attend to.