WATER: TREMONTI, REFERENDUM IS MOOT IDEOLOGICAL CONTENT

According to Italy’s Economy Minister, the referendum on water privatization is “moot in terms of ideological content”. During a press conference, Giulio Tremonti stated, “Granted that water belongs to the people, the directive would entail implementing a treaty. When it comes to treaties, an abrogative referendum [referendum to repeal a law] is out of the question, because a treaty cannot be abrogated.”