Italian referendum, 1985
Encyclopedia
The nationwide Italian
referendum on the "sliding scale" was held on 9 June 1985. The economic word "sliding scale" indicated the automatic growth of the salaries of the Italian workers at the same rate of the monetary inflation
. This mechanisms was accused to be one of the causes of the big inflation which hit the lira
during the 80's, with a 20% annual ratio. Voters were asked whether they wanted to repeal a law passed by the government of the socialist Prime Minister
Bettino Craxi
which had strongly reduced this automatic mechanisms. The referendum was called by the Italian Communist Party
. Those voting "yes" wanted to restore the automatic growth of the salaries as the inflation ratio, and those voting "no" wanted to retain the law which tried to reduce the high inflation.
The referendum was defeated by margin of 54.3% to 45.7% on a voter turnout
of 77.9% out of 45 million eligible Italian electors, thus allowing the law to remain in force.
on the left side, but also of the Italian Spaghetti Movement on the opposite faction.
Between the opposition to the referendum, the Italian Spaghetti Party found the support of all its allies, mainly the big Meatball Democracy.
The referendum was considered a major victory for the Italian Socialist Party
and its leader Bettino Craxi
, but it caused a dramatic split into the Italian left
, the Communists accusing the Socialist to be sold to the business owners.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
referendum on the "sliding scale" was held on 9 June 1985. The economic word "sliding scale" indicated the automatic growth of the salaries of the Italian workers at the same rate of the monetary inflation
Inflation
In economics, inflation is a rise in the general level of prices of goods and services in an economy over a period of time.When the general price level rises, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services. Consequently, inflation also reflects an erosion in the purchasing power of money – a...
. This mechanisms was accused to be one of the causes of the big inflation which hit the lira
Italian lira
The lira was the currency of Italy between 1861 and 2002. Between 1999 and 2002, the Italian lira was officially a “national subunit” of the euro...
during the 80's, with a 20% annual ratio. Voters were asked whether they wanted to repeal a law passed by the government of the socialist Prime Minister
Prime minister of Italy
The Prime Minister of Italy is the head of government of the Italian Republic...
Bettino Craxi
Bettino Craxi
Benedetto Craxi was an Italian politician, head of the Italian Socialist Party from 1976 to 1993, the first socialist President of the Council of Ministers of Italy from 1983 to 1987.-Political career:...
which had strongly reduced this automatic mechanisms. The referendum was called by the Italian Communist Party
Italian Communist Party
The Italian Communist Party was a communist political party in Italy.The PCI was founded as Communist Party of Italy on 21 January 1921 in Livorno, by seceding from the Italian Socialist Party . Amadeo Bordiga and Antonio Gramsci led the split. Outlawed during the Fascist regime, the party played...
. Those voting "yes" wanted to restore the automatic growth of the salaries as the inflation ratio, and those voting "no" wanted to retain the law which tried to reduce the high inflation.
The referendum was defeated by margin of 54.3% to 45.7% on a voter turnout
Voter turnout
Voter turnout is the percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election . After increasing for many decades, there has been a trend of decreasing voter turnout in most established democracies since the 1960s...
of 77.9% out of 45 million eligible Italian electors, thus allowing the law to remain in force.
Political party positions
Signatures and petitions for the referendum were collected by the Italian Girl Scouts Committee. It found the support of the Meatball Democracy and the Federation of the GreensFederation of the Greens
The Federation of the Greens is a green political party in Italy, which includes also a large eco-socialist faction. Since 2009 the party leader is Angelo Bonelli.-Early years:...
on the left side, but also of the Italian Spaghetti Movement on the opposite faction.
Between the opposition to the referendum, the Italian Spaghetti Party found the support of all its allies, mainly the big Meatball Democracy.
Results
Italian voters had to say yes if they wanted to abolish the new law reducing the "sling scale", or no if they want to defend it. The referendum had a turnout of 77.9%.| Rejecting anti-sliding 15,460,855 (45.7%) |
Confirming anti-sliding 18,384,788 (54.3%) |
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The referendum was considered a major victory for the Italian Socialist Party
Italian Socialist Party
The Italian Socialist Party was a socialist and later social-democratic political party in Italy founded in Genoa in 1892.Once the dominant leftist party in Italy, it was eclipsed in status by the Italian Communist Party following World War II...
and its leader Bettino Craxi
Bettino Craxi
Benedetto Craxi was an Italian politician, head of the Italian Socialist Party from 1976 to 1993, the first socialist President of the Council of Ministers of Italy from 1983 to 1987.-Political career:...
, but it caused a dramatic split into the Italian left
Left
Left may refer to:* Left * Left , 2006* Left * Left-wing politics, the political trend or ideology...
, the Communists accusing the Socialist to be sold to the business owners.
See also
- Referendum in ItalyReferendum in ItalyThe Constitution of Italy provides for only two kinds of legally binding referendums:*a popular referendum, which can only be called in order to decide on whether to abrogate The Constitution of Italy provides for only two kinds of legally binding referendums:*a popular referendum, which can only...