MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Voices of the Italian regions will be left unheard if Italy votes for a constitutional reform in the December 4 referendum, an Italian lawmaker from the opposition Five Stars Movement (M5S) told Sputnik while visiting Moscow in a bid to discuss anti-Russia sanctions and bilateral cooperation, as well as to convince the Italians living in Russia to resist possible constitutional changes.
"This reform can dramatically change the political system. We won't be able to choose the Italian Senate. The reforms proposed in the name of cutting bureaucracies, are, in fact, dangerous to democracy in the country. Voices of the Italian regions will be drowned out," Michele Dell'Orco said.
He added that M5S is campaigning against constitutional reforms and wants to convince the Italians leaving in Russia to vote against proposed constitutional changes.
The opponents of the changes, including M5S, Forza Italia and Lega Nord parties, fear the reform could remove democratic checks and balances and lead to the over-centralization of power. Polls have shown the "yes" and "no" camps almost neck-and-neck, with many voters still undecided.