Italy Votes 'No' in Referendum Rejecting Meloni's Judicial Reform

Italians Vote 'No' Against Meloni's Judicial Reform

Early results from Italy's justice referendum indicate a strong 'No' vote, signaling a setback for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her proposed judicial reforms.

Meloni, who has been leading a stable coalition government since 2022, cast her vote on March 23 as the referendum took place. The 'No' vote is leading with over 54% according to early counts from more than a quarter of polling stations.

The reforms aim to modify the role of judges and prosecutors and their oversight body, but critics argue they risk increasing political control over independent judges and failing to address systemic issues in Italy's justice system, such as lengthy trials and case backlogs.

Daniele Albertazzi, a professor at the University of Surrey, highlighted that this defeat could impact Meloni's standing ahead of the 2027 parliamentary elections. The 'No' campaign was supported by opposition parties, who argued that the reforms were too complex and risked becoming a personal referendum on Meloni.

Despite criticism, Meloni has dismissed suggestions of quitting if her proposals are rejected. The reform would prevent judges and public prosecutors from switching roles, though only a tiny minority currently do so. It also involves changes to the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSM), which is being divided into two separate councils for judges and prosecutors.

The 'No' camp argues that dividing the powerful CSM makes its members more susceptible to political pressure and that using a lottery system to choose those to sit on the court undermines the concept of merit. The final results are expected later Monday or Tuesday.