Citizens should go vote on April
17 a referendum on allowing offshore oil and gas drilling to
continue in Italy, the president of the Constitutional Court,
Paolo Grossi, said on Monday.
''It is necessary to vote'', Grossi said.
''Each citizen is free to do it in the way he or she
believes is right - but I think it is necessary to take part in
the vote: it means being complete citizens''.
Premier Matteo Renzi said he will not vote in the
referendum and hopes it fails to reach quorum.
A yes vote would ban drilling within 12 miles of Italy's
shores.
The Constitutional Court gave the green light to the
referendum in January, a decision welcomed by regional councils
and environmental groups concerned about the effects of offshore
drilling on marine ecosystems.
It was proposed by regional assemblies objecting to
drilling platforms over concerns about seismic stability and the
environment.
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