Italians vote in favor of cutting MPs from 945 to 600

A resounding majority of Italians have voted in favor of cutting the number of members of parliament from 945 to 600, Interior Ministry results showed Monday, reported Xinhua.

According to the Interior Ministry's final tally, 69.62 percent of voters said they were in favor and 30.38 percent voted against the reform, which cuts Lower House representatives from 630 to 400 and Senate members from 315 to 200.

This reform was a key platform plank of the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, which currently rules Italy in coalition with the center-left Democratic Party in the government led by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.

"Today we reached a historic result," Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, who was the former leader of the Five Star Movement, wrote on Facebook. He said the reform means Italy "will have a normal parliament, with 345 fewer seats and privileges."

Total turnout for the vote on the referendum was 52.67 percent, with a peak of over 73 percent in the northern Valle d'Aosta region and a low of about 35 percent in the southern Sicily region, Interior Ministry numbers showed.

Voters were also called to the polls Sunday and Monday to elect new administrations in seven out of Italy's 20 regions. Mayoral races were also held in over 1,000 towns and cities.

Official results for the local elections will likely be made known late Monday or Tuesday.