Berlusconi hit by votes blow over nuclear energy, water and crime cases

Italians have dealt Premier Silvio Berlusconi a serious political blow, overturning laws passed by his government to revive nuclear energy, privatise the water supply and help him to avoid prosecution.

Partial results from three referendums held on Sunday showed clear majorities to throw out the water privatisation law, kill a law reviving nuclear energy and undo legislation offering the Italian leader a partial legal shield in criminal prosecutions. Voter turnout topped 57 per cent – safely above the 51 per cent needed to validate the vote. It is the first time since 1995 that a quorum has been reached.

Even before the polls closed, Mr Berlusconi conceded Italy would probably have to give up plans to return to nuclear energy and instead focus on renewable energy. It is the second time Italians have said no to nuclear energy in a referendum. The first was in 1987, after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

The referendum came two weeks after Mr Berlusconi’s candidates lost local elections in such key cities as his stronghold Milan and Naples. Mr Berlusconi and many of his allies abstained from voting on the questions that were direct challenges to Mr Berlusconi’s policies and his legal tactics in four criminal cases he faces in Milan, one alleging he paid for sex with an under-age teenager.