Napolitano says backs Renzi reform

(ANSA) - Rome, July 20 - Former president Giorgio Napolitano told Il Foglio paper in an interview out Wednesday that he supports Premier Matteo Renzi's constitutional reform law, but said the premier should be open to revising his Italicum electoral reform.
    Italy's parties are girding for battle over Renzi's constitutional reform, which would slash the Senate by two-thirds and reduce its lawmaking powers in a bid to end decades of political gridlock.
    That reform has been passed into law, but must be approved by a popular referendum to be held in October.
    Majority parties are therefore campaigning for a 'Yes' vote and opposition parties for a 'No' vote.
    In the interview, Napolitano berated the "psychological terrorism being bandied about by some 'No' propaganda, on the specific flaws and alleged risks of the reform.
    "Missing out on this opportunity to overcome the equality of the two houses of parliament (which has been blamed for decades of ineffective government) would be a catastrophe," Napolitano said. The former head of State added Renzi should consider revising his controversial new Italicum law, which introduces a two-round system of voting and a large majority bonus.
    Napolitano said the law relies too heavily on the run-off vote "which in the present context, risks leaving the country in the hands of a political party that has not been legitimated with enough votes in the first round".
    Renzi's center-left Democratic Party (PD) faces calls for changes to the Italicum from its conservative allies after its poor showing in June local elections.