In the end, the Senate gave the green light to the Nordio bill. It’s just the first step: the justice reform will now have to pass through Montecitorio and if there are no problems it will be definitively approved.
After six months of clashes, discussions, obstructionism, the approval of Palazzo Madama is seen the majority supported by Italia viva and Action on the yes side (104) and the opposition on that of no (56). Avs, Pd and M5s accuse the provision of pleasing “an authoritarian and illiberal culture that protects only those who already have power”. At the same time, Palazzo Madama gave the green light to article 4 of the European delegation law which contains the Costa rule which limits the publication of judicial documents, what the opposition has dubbed the “gag law”. Pd, M5s and Avs had presented suppressive amendments which were then rejected by the Chamber. The vote on the Nordio bill, contrary to what was established, was clear. The Italian Maurizio Gasparri complains about it. «It doesn’t do you credit» he insists: «he would have protected those opposition colleagues who with a secret vote voted with us for a freedom reform. I thank them”, referring to the 17 secret votes on the amendments agreed with the M5s. The Nordio bill, approved by the Council of Ministers last 15 June, began its examination in the Justice Committee of the Senate on 2 August where it saw almost two months of hearings (September and October) and at least one (January) for the votes of the amendments. The discussion in the Chamber began on 6 February with the report by the rapporteur Giulia Bongiorno (Lega). The text that reaches the Chamber brings profound changes: abuse of office disappears and the scope of illicit influence trafficking limited to particularly serious conduct is reduced; bans on wiretapping for journalists are expanded; the aim is for greater protection of privacy and a ban on listening to conversations between the suspect or accused and his lawyer is introduced. Furthermore, the public prosecutor will no longer be able to challenge acquittal sentences (unless they involve particularly serious crimes), a collegiate judge will have to rule on the request for precautionary custody in prison and before the decision the suspect will have to be questioned by the judge , under penalty of nullity of the measure. Finally, an agenda commits the government to opening a working table to amend the Severino law for a reorganization of crimes against the public administration. The Minister of Justice Carlo Nordio was satisfied and at the end of the vote was keen to underline «for us the presumption of innocence is a symptom of civility. And this is a non-negotiable principle as long as I am a minister.” «Guaranteeism – he adds – is the certainty of punishment but also the emphasis of the presumption of innocence. Today’s measure goes in this second direction.” «It’s only the first step» say the Azzurri, who speak of “new challenges”. Above all, says Licia Ronzulli, «the separation of careers that Forza Italia wants to achieve». For FdI too the reform «shapes the Italy of Future” and Senator Sergio Rastrelli speaks of the paradox of the Pd “having come to join carnally with the 5 Star Movement in an incestuous and unnatural relationship”. The voice of the undersecretary Andrea Ostellari of the League also rises from the majority: “it is confirmation that the reform season has begun and will continue in the months to come”. Ivan Scalfarotto explains that IV’s support is due to the “guaranteeist vision of Justice” and adds: “it is sad to see the Democratic Party repudiate guaranteeism”. Along the same lines, Maria Stella Gemini of Action that praises “the liberal approach”, while admitting “it is neither an epochal reform, nor even absolute evil”. From 5s Roberto Scarpinato attacks “an anti-democratic, anti-egalitarian and classist system”, while Ilaria Cucchi of Avs speaks of “an insult to democracy”. For the dem Anna Rossomando “it affirms an illiberal culture that leaves citizens without protection”. (HANDLE).