The Lower House on Tuesday gave a
definitive OK to a bill reforming Italy's unwieldy and costly
political machinery.
The bill passed by 361 votes to 7 after the oppositions
boycotted the vote.
The law, if confirmed by a referendum in October, will
abolish the Senate in its present form, thus ending Italy's
unusual system of 'perfect bicameralism'.
Premier Matteo Renzi has staked his political future on the
success of the referendum.
Under Italian law, any changes to the Constitution must be
approved by popular referendum.
Renzi's reform would, among other things, reduce the Senate
from its current 300 members to an assembly of 100 regional
officials with limited lawmaking powers in a bid to break the
gridlock Italian politics is famous for.
The premier has said in the past he is prepared to quit if
the referendum nixes his reform.
He reiterated this Monday, saying he "bet the ranch" on this
reform and is prepared to take the consequences if the Italian
people vote against it in an October referendum.
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