President Sergio Mattarella stressed Wednesday that sovereignty belongs to the people amid controversy about the United States ambassador to Rome saying a No vote in the referendum on the government's institutional overhaul would be a step back for investments in Italy. "Every event in an important country, and Italy is an important country, attracts attention abroad," the president said when asked about the row. "Naturally this does not change the fact that sovereignty derives from the voters". Opponents to the reform accused U.S. Ambassador John Phillips of meddling in Italy's domestic affairs with comments he made on Tuesday.
Phillips said that, while "the referendum is an Italian decision", the country must also "guarantee political stability".
The reform amends the Italian Constitution and, among other things, turns the Senate into a leaner assembly of local government representatives with limited powers. It is aimed at saving money and making it easier to pass legislation.
Premier Matteo Renzi has said he will quit if he loses the referendum later this year. Almost all of Italy's opposition groups are campaigning for a No vote.
Mattarella added that it was necessary for the Italian public and politicians to approach the referendum with "serenity... as with any democratic step".
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