Turnout in Italy's two-day vote has already passed the crucial 50 percent mark needed to be valid, according to the Interior Ministry, and the four key referendum questions were expected to pass overwhelmingly.

Polling stations closed at 3 p.m. local time on Monday, with final results expected in the evening.

Italians voted on four issues, including a proposed return to nuclear power by 2014, water privatization and the possible revocation of a law which allows Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi a degree of legal immunity.

The most important issue by far was whether Italy should restart its nuclear program. In response to the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, a referendum was held that led to a moratorium on the country’s atomic energy program. But Berlusconi, a proponent of nuclear power, has made re-introducing nuclear power by 2014 a key policy goal.

In the wake of the Fukushima disaster in Japan and Germany's decision to phase out nuclear power by 2022, campaigners in Italy have been pushing hard to stop the planned return to nuclear energy.

Vital test

In a separate referendum, voters were also asked whether government ministers should be stripped of their "legitimate impediment," which allows ministers to skip trial hearings against them if they are on government business.

The legal immunity was passed by Berlusconi's government after his re-election in 2008 and has been criticized as allowing the prime minister to evade prosecution.

Berlusconi is embroiled in several trials and is facing charges of bribery, fraud and having paid for sex with a minor. A constitutional court ruling earlier this year did revoke part of the legal protection linked to his ministerial duties.

The votes are widely seen as a crucial test for the embattled premier. His ruling People of Freedom Party is still feeling the effects of heavy local election losses last month.

Italians were also asked to vote on whether to privatize water utilities, which the government says is necessary to improve service. Opponents argue privatization would lead to higher prices.

Berlusconi had urged voters to either boycott the polls or vote against the proposals in the referendums.

Author: Charlotte Chelsom-Pill, Wilhelmina Lyffyt (AFP, Reuters)
Editor: Martin Kuebler