#ITALY: Parliament, Local Electors, Will Choose New President

[world politics news]

Italy’s parliament and regional representatives will start voting for the new head of state on January 24, the president of the country’s lower house announced last Tuesday. 

“I have convened the Parliament in a common session for the election of the President of the Republic on January 24 at 3 p.m.,” Roberto Fico said in a statement, posted to Facebook.

1,009 electors, from the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies and including 58 regional representatives, will cast secret ballots in a series of voting rounds.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#ITALY: Senate Kills Gay Anti-Discrimination Bill Over Free Speech Concerns

[world politics news]

The Italian Senate has voted down a proposed law against homophobia which faced vehement opposition from right-leaning parties and the Vatican.

The bill, known as the ‘ddl Zan." after its 2018 author, sought to punish acts of discrimination and "incitement to violence" against gay, lesbian, transgender and disabled people.

It was proposed in May 2018 by Alessandro Zan, a member of parliament from the centre-left Democratic Party, in response to what he called an “exponential rise in the number and seriousness of acts of violence towards gay and transgender people."

Critics of the law said it risked endangering freedom of expression - because incitement could be interpreted as lack of approval of the gay lifestyle - and would have paved the way for “homosexual propaganda” in schools.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#ITALY: Opposition Party Stages Anti-Vax Passport Demonstration In Parliament

[world politics news]

A session of the Italian Parliament has turned to chaos after a group of opposition MPs protested the country's 'Green Pass' Covid vaccine certification system, which is soon to become mandatory for accessing most public venues.

The protest was held by members of the Brothers of Italy (FdI) Party in the parliamentary chamber on Thursday. Footage from the scene shows the MPs rushing to the center of the chamber, shouting and waving placards reading "No Green Pass."

 

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi has urged all Italians to get Covid-19 vaccinations after his government approved the restrictions on the unvaccinated.

From August 6, entry to stadiums, museums, theatres, cinemas, exhibition centres, swimming pools and gyms will only be allowed upon presentation of a “green pass."

The pass, which is an extension of the EU’s digital Covid certificate, will also be required in order to be served indoors at restaurants.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#ITALY: 70% Back Referendum To Cut Size Of Parliament By A Third

[world politics news] 

Italians have voted in a referendum to cut the size of the country's parliament by more than a third. Almost 70% of people voted to support he change, with almost all votes counted.

The number of MPs in the lower house will be reduced from 634 to 400. The senate will also be downsized.

The referendum was pushed by the Five Star Movement, part of the governing coalition, which argued that the move would reduce costs.

[FULL STORY HERE] 

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#ITALY: Two Male Members Of Parliament - Of Different Parties - Caught Having Sex In Parliament Restroom

[world politics news]

Two male members of the Italian lower house of parliament were filmed on a cellphone's camera having sex in a public restroom in Italy's parliament. One of the lawmakers is reportedly from the Lega Nord (Northern League) and the other from the Five Star Alliance.

A journalist says she has the video and knows their identities, but won't release the names, citing privacy concerns.  Another member of the media said that the two MPs were "tall, beautiful men." Francesco D’Uva, the Five Star group leader in the Chamber of Deputies, reportedly forbade fellow party members in a text message from divulging the sordid details of the story.

(Note: The gladiators in the photo are not the MPs in question.)

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.