In Italy
In Italy
The Italian Chamber of Deputies discussed the issue in the second half of July 1957 and wound up the debate on 30 July, approving ratification of the Treaties by 311 votes to 144 with 54 abstentions. Only the Communists voted unanimously against. On 9 October, it was the Italian Senate’s turn to ratify the Treaties. The Italian MPs’ main priority was the scale of the economic benefits that accession to the common market would offer the country. Politicians particularly welcomed the capital that would be allocated to the underdeveloped regions in the south of Italy and the opening up of new markets for the country’s agricultural products.
‘Birth certificate’ from Il nuovo Corriere della Sera (25 March 1957)
‘How the Italian Communist Party sees the Common Market’ from L’Unità (24 March 1957)
Interview with Bino Olivi: Italy and the Rome Treaties (Sanem, 4 April 2007)