The Forum, which has been established in Italy in 2006, demanded three referenda to take place. Two have been approved by the Court. To support their demands, the Forum gathered over 1.4 million signatures throughout the country, and organized a march in Rome last year, where 200 thousand people participated.

The referenda will take place between April 15th and May 15th. According to the organizers, this is the first time a referendum takes place as an initiative of the social movements, since referenda took place before as an initiative of political parties.

The population will have to express their opinion on the repeal of the Privatization Law promoted by the Silvio Berlusconi’s right-wing administration in September 2009, and on the repeal of a 7-15% tax on water rates.

The movements that are promoting the consultations point out that the mechanisms to privatize water and its management could be eliminated with these referenda. In order for them to be valid 25 million people should cast their vote in the referenda.

To mobilize people to go to the polls and support these measures, on February 5-6 there will be hundreds of activities to raise funds, and on March 19th there will be a massive mobilization in Rome to formally launch the campaign.