Italy holds vote to overhaul constitution

ROME, June 26 (Reuters) Italy held a second day of voting today in a referendum that could rewrite the constitution to strengthen the prime minister's powers and give regions greater autonomy.

Proponents, led by ex-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, say the referendum could end the nation's half century of revolving governments and save money by slashing the number of lawmakers.

But Prime Minister Romano Prodi's centre-left coalition, in power for just over one month, says the changes would split the nation, weaken the widely revered office of the president and end up costing the country billions of euros.

Two days of balloting will end at 1830 hrs IST.

On the first day of balloting on Sunday, 35 per cent of the nearly 50 million eligible voters had voted, more than at the last constitutional referendum in 2001.

Each side claimed the relatively hefty turnout favoured its chances. The centre-right opposition said the greatest numbers had voted in the north, where the separatist Northern League which spearheaded the drive for regional autonomy has its roots.

But Prodi's allies said heavy turnout in centre-left strongholds in the centre pointed to the referendum's defeat.

The vote is the first national political test since Prodi narrowly beat Berlusconi in April's election.

DESTINY A win for Berlusconi could strengthen his hold on the opposition.

But Prodi said a victory for the ''yes'' camp would not undermine his fragile majority.

''It's not my government's destiny that's at stake, but rather Italy's,'' the prime minister said yesterday.

Northern League leader Umberto Bossi vowed to pursue his northern region's 20-year struggle for separate status by appealing to the United Nations if necessary.

''If the North votes for the referendum, it means we can go to the UN and claim our rights,'' he said.

Berlusconi's centre-right coalition pushed through the most radical overhaul of Italy's 58-year-old constitution before being ousted from power. But it needed to be put to a referendum because it failed to win a two-thirds majority in parliament.

Critics say the constitution - drawn up after World War Two to prevent the return of a dictator like Benito Mussolini - ensures administrations that on average last barely a year.

The changes would strengthen the prime minister by allowing him to dismiss ministers and dissolve parliament.

But Prodi said the measures would ''turn the President of the Republic into a powerless notary''.

The referendum would give Italy's 20 regions full autonomy over health, schooling and policing, a move critics say would benefit the north at the expense of the poorer south.

In a move supported by many voters fed up with politicians in Rome, the measure would cut the number of lawmakers.

Berlusconi says that would save money, but Prodi says duplication of responsibilities between the capital and regions would end up costing the nation hundreds of billions of euros.

REUTERS SHB ND1440