Referendum petition 'inadmissible' (3)

(ANSA) - Rome, October 20 - The Lazio Regional Administrative Court (TAR) on Thursday ruled that a petition against the wording of the question in the December referendum on the government's Constitutional reform is inadmissible due to flaws of jurisprudence. The petition was made by the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S) and the Italian Left (SI) party. They argued the wording of the question favoured the yes vote to Premier Matteo Renzi's overhaul of Italy's political machinery.
    The reform, among other things, would turn the Senate into a regionally based body with fewer lawmaking powers to make passing legislation cheaper and faster.
    The TAR said Thursday that it had dismissed the petition because the question was drafted by independent bodies. It said the central referendum body that prepared the question and the presidential decree with which it was adopted stemmed from watchdog bodies "characterised by absolute neutrality". It added that this made them exempt from being examined under its jurisdiction. Renzi had said he would quit if he loses the referendum, but has recently played this down, saying it was a mistake to personalise the vote.
    Almost all of Italy's opposition groups are campaigning for a No vote.