A five-part referendum was held in Italy on 17 and 18 May 1981.[1][2] The proposals included repealing laws on public order, life sentences, gun licences, and abortion. All were rejected by voters, with no proposal receiving more than 32% of the vote.[3]
Abortion abrogative referendums
Two referendums were held on the new Law 194, which had legalized abortion. The first referendum was called by the Radical Party, which asked more liberalization abolishing all the remaining limits to the free choice of the women. The second was called by Christian Democracy and the Catholic Church and its related movements for life, trying to restore the ban on abortion.
Results
Liberalising abortion laws
Choice
Votes
%
Yes
3,588,995
11.6
N No
27,395,909
88.4
Invalid/blank votes
3,285,296
–
Total
34,270,200
100
Registered voters/turnout
43,154,682
79.4
Source: Nohlen & Stöver
Prohibiting abortion
Choice
Votes
%
Yes
10,119,797
32.0
N No
21,505,323
68.0
Invalid/blank votes
2,651,999
–
Total
34,277,119
100
Registered voters/turnout
43,154,682
79.4
Source: Nohlen & Stöver
Although both referendums were rejected, and the percentages of support of the Catholic question was higher than the percentages of the radical one, the result was generally seen as a victory for the Radical Party, which won at least one referendum in a country considered highly influenced by the Catholic Church. The referendum on prohibiting abortion won in one region - Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, specifically the South Tyrol/Bolzano province.[4]
Police powers abrogative referendum
A third referendum was held on repealing the Reale Law, which had been the subject of a referendum in 1978. The referendum was called by the Radical Party, but was only partially supported by the Italian Socialist Party.
Results
Choice
Votes
%
Yes
4,636,809
14.9
N No
26,524,667
85.1
Invalid/blank votes
3,095,721
–
Total
34,257,197
100
Registered voters/turnout
43,154,682
79.4
Source: Nohlen & Stöver
The referendum was rejected by the Italian electors, following the positions of all the parties of the so-called Constitutional Arch.
Life imprisonment abrogative referendum
A fourth referendum was called by the Radical Party asking voters to reject life imprisonment as the highest level of punishment for crimes.
Results
Choice
Votes
%
Yes
7,114,719
22.6
N No
24,330,954
77.4
Invalid/blank votes
2,831,521
–
Total
34,277,194
100
Registered voters/turnout
43,154,682
79.4
Source: Nohlen & Stöver
Gun licence abrogative referendum
The last referendum was called by the Radical Party asking voters to repeal the law on licences to guns, allowing the police to give weapons to some high-risking citizens, thereby banning all citizens from owning guns.
