1995 Italian referendum

A twelve-part referendum was held in Italy on 11 June 1995.[1] Voters were asked whether they approved of the repealing (or partial repealing) of laws on union representation, union dues, collective contracts for public sector workers, internal exile for mafia members, public ownership of RAI, concessions for television channels, advertising breaks during films, television publicity, commercial licensing, local council elections and shopping hours.[2] Only five of the twelve proposals were passed.[2]

Results

Repealing of the law on union representation

Choice	Votes	%
For	12,297,033	50.0
Against	12,310,754	50.0
Invalid/blank votes	3,083,139	–
Total	27,695,048	100
Registered voters/turnout	46,630,728	56.9
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Partial repealing of the law on union representation

Choice	Votes	%
For	15,105,812	62.1
Against	9,226,071	37.9
Invalid/blank votes	3,338,553	–
Total	27,674,041	100
Registered voters/turnout	46,630,728	56.9
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Repealing of the law on the direct deduction of union dues from employees' salaries

Choice	Votes	%
For	13,949,499	56.2
Against	10,851,357	43.8
Invalid/blank votes	2,959,032	–
Total	27,763,191	100
Registered voters/turnout	46,630,728	57.1
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Repealing of the law on collective contracts for public sector workers

Choice	Votes	%
For	15,690,510	64.7
Against	8,550,360	35.3
Invalid/blank votes	3,425,691	–
Total	27,670,413	100
Registered voters/turnout	46,630,728	56.9
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Repealing of the law on the internal exile of mafia members

Choice	Votes	%
For	15,374,706	63.7
Against	8,773,389	36.3
Invalid/blank votes	3,567,938	–
Total	27,719,742	100
Registered voters/turnout	46,630,728	57.0
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Repealing of the law on public ownership of RAI

If approved, this proposal would allow for the partial privatisation of RAI.[3]

Choice	Votes	%
For	13,767,132	54.9
Against	11,311,268	45.1
Invalid/blank votes	2,729,179	–
Total	27,810,809	100
Registered voters/turnout	46,630,728	57.2
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Repealing of the law regulating commercial licences

This proposal would limit ownership of television channels to one per person. This was denounced by Silvio Berlusconi (who owned three channels) as a "post-Communist plot".[3]

Choice	Votes	%
For	8,738,609	35.6
Against	15,801,429	64.4
Invalid/blank votes	3,178,531	–
Total	27,722,518	100
Registered voters/turnout	46,630,728	57.0
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Repealing of the law on television channel concessions

This proposal would restrict advertising agencies to controlling the advertising of just two channels. This would stop Publitalia from selling advertising space in all three channels owned by Berlusconi.[3]

Choice	Votes	%
For	11,590,539	43.0
Against	15,366,242	57.0
Invalid/blank votes	1,187,715	–
Total	28,147,146	100
Registered voters/turnout	46,630,728	57.9
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Repealing of the law allowing advertising breaks during films

This proposal would have restricted advertising breaks during the screening of films on television.[3]

Choice	Votes	%
For	11,986,425	44.3
Against	15,049,256	55.7
Invalid/blank votes	1,102,201	–
Total	28,139,920	100
Registered voters/turnout	46,630,728	57.9
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Repealing of the law allowing television publicity grouping

Choice	Votes	%
For	11,730,479	43.6
Against	15,171,890	56.4
Invalid/blank votes	1,222,193	–
Total	28,126,572	100
Registered voters/turnout	46,630,728	57.8
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Repealing of the law on shop opening hours

Choice	Votes	%
For	9,384,490	37.5
Against	15,653,771	62.5
Invalid/blank votes	2,720,141	–
Total	27,762,483	100
Registered voters/turnout	46,630,728	57.1
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Repealing of the law on local council elections

Choice	Votes	%
For	12,162,505	49.4
Against	12,449,029	50.6
Invalid/blank votes	3,168,992	–
Total	27,784,033	100
Registered voters/turnout	46,630,728	57.1
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

References

1. Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p1048 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
2. Nohlen & Stöver, pp1059-1060
3. EUROPE : Italy Referendum Targets Berlusconi, TV : Former premier fights four proposals to restructure system and restrict ownership of channels. Billionaire could suffer huge losses Los Angeles Times, 9 June 1995