Italy vote on changes to constitution

Italians are being called to vote on Sunday and Monday on a proposed overhaul of their constitution. The reform already passed a vote in parliament in November but without the two-thirds majority needed to avoid the referendum. This time the count needs only a simple majority, a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

The reforms are the idea of Silvio Berlusconi, a remnant of his term in office. A ‘no’ vote could be the defeat that calls time on his political career. A ‘yes’ would mean he still calls the tunes.

In a football-mad country with a big World Cup game to watch, some fear that turnout will be low for an issue that gets right to the heart of Italian politics.