A four-part abrogative referendum on fertility laws was held in Italy on 12 June 2005.[1] Voters were asked whether research and access to the research on embryos should no longer be limited, whether embryos should no longer be legally recognised as people and whether IVF treatment should no longer be limited to three embryos.[2][3] The referendum was called after the Italian Radicals collected the 500,000 signatures required.[3] Although all four proposals were approved by wide margins, the voter turnout of 26% was well below the 50% threshold and the results were invalidated.[2]Pope Benedict XVI had called for a boycott.[4]
Results
Scrapping limitations on clinical and experimental research on embryos
Choice
Votes
%
Yes
10,743,710
88.0
No
1,461,217
12.0
Invalid/blank votes
532,691
–
Total
12,737,618
100
Registered voters/turnout
49,648,425
25.7
Source: Nohlen & Stöver
Scrapping limits on access to research on embryos
Choice
Votes
%
Yes
10,819,909
88.8
No
1,367,288
11.2
Invalid/blank votes
551,200
–
Total
12,738,397
100
Registered voters/turnout
49,648,425
25.7
Source: Nohlen & Stöver
Scrapping the legal definition of embryos as people
Choice
Votes
%
Yes
10,663,125
87.7
No
1,492,042
12.3
Invalid/blank votes
579,766
–
Total
12,734,933
100
Registered voters/turnout
49,648,425
25.7
Source: Nohlen & Stöver
Allowing IVF treatment with donated eggs or sperm
Choice
Votes
%
Yes
9,391,161
78.2
No
2,744,895
21.8
Invalid/blank votes
590,080
–
Total
12,726,136
100
Registered voters/turnout
49,648,425
25.6
Source: Nohlen & Stöver
References
^Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p1049 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7