Italy reforms headed to defeat in referendum -poll

ROME, June 26 (Reuters) Italian voters appear to have rejected constitutional reforms that would have strengthened the prime minister's powers and given regions greater autonomy, according to television opinion poll.

The poll by Sky Italia television broadcast today at the end of a two-day national referendum said the constitutional changes, opposed by Prime Minister Romano Prodi's centre-left majority, appeared headed to a narrow defeat.

The poll of 2,200 voters showed 52 per cent had oppposed the proposed reforms and 48 per cent had favoured them, Sky Italia said.

The constitutional reforms were passed by the government of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi but required backing from a referendum. A simple majority of those voting would be enough to either block or approve the changes.

Proponents said the changes would end the nation's half century of revolving governments and save money by slashing the number of lawmakers. But opponents said the changes would split the nation and end up costing the country billions of euros.

Reuters SHR BD1858