ITALIAN ELECTION AND REFERENDUM

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24895, 7 June 1946, Page 7

ITALIAN ELECTION AND REFERENDUM

Figures Show Majority For Republic ROYAL FAMILY PREPARE TO LEAVE COUNTRY (N.Z. Press Association— Copyright) (Rec. 12.30 a.m.) . ROME, June ft. The latest Italian election figures, from 34,719 polling districts, are:— Christian Democrats .. . • 8,012,000 Socialists Communists f’rSZ’nnn National Democrats . • • • 1,530,000 Common Man .. • - L 198.000 Republicans .. • • 997,000 With results from about 100 electoral divisions of Italy still to come, the latest referendum figures are:— For a Republic .. 12,718,000 For the Monarchy 10,709,000 Queen Marie Jose and her four children flew from H® l "® Naples yesterday and are leaving for Egypt to-day. _Klng Umberto was still in Rome last night awaiting, it is believed, the formal proclamation of a Republic, which is expected on June 8, when he will issue a farewell message to the people before going to Egypt to join his father in exile. The Rome radio reports that Queen Marie. Jose and her children left Naples at dawn aboard a cruiser for Gaeta, where ’ King Umberto will join them.

It is estimated that the Christian Democrats will have 200 seats in the Constituent Assembly out of a total of 556, the Socialists 120, the Communist* 110, the Democratic Union 33. the Common Man Party 25, the Republicans 23, the Monarchists 16, and the Action Party 13. It is almost certain that the new Government will be based on a coalition of the three big parties. If the Christian Democrats combined with all the Right Wing groups they might edmmand a majority of a dozen over the Left Wing, but with their big trade union affiliation it might be very difficult for them to do so. The Rome correspondent of “The Times” says: “The fact that the Communists’ best results in the general election were not gained in the industrial areas or in the provinces, where landless peasantry are numerous, but in Tuscany and Emilia Romagna, the

two populous and prosperous regions which succumbed most easily to Fascist propaganda, emphasises the similarity of the two movements in methods and tactics—to extend which is not a good advertisement for the Communists.”

The Italian Prime Minister (Signor de Gaaperi), broadcasting yesterday, appealed for confidence following the elections. He declared that the new Government’s aim would be to serve the nation’s interests and assure tranquillity.

“The fact that the chief parties, all with different ideological views, have sat round the Cabinet table with a democratic Will to co-operate 'has given us confidence to tackle the constitutional problem and the even graver ones of labour, finance, and economy,” said Signor de Gasperi. He emphasised that the result of the referendum was trustworthy. Judicial authorities had collected and counted the votes. The Government or parties could not have interfered. . Signor de Gasperi said that King Umberto had shown willingness to hand over his powers as quietly m possible, with the minimum of fuss. He added that King Umberto was calm and serene. The, Paris evening newspaper. “Paris Presse,’’ said that King Umberto, after learning of the result of the referendum, tried to commit suicide. The report was not confirmed by any other source.