Early tallies from Italy’s recent constitutional referendum indicate that voters have largely rejected the judicial reforms championed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. With over a quarter of polling stations reporting their results, the “No” camp holds a commanding lead, securing more than 54 percent of the vote. This outcome represents a significant setback for Meloni, whose far-right coalition has maintained an unusually steady grip on power since October 2022.
The defeat in this referendum carries weighty implications for Meloni’s political future, especially as the country gears up for parliamentary elections next year. The proposed reforms were central to her platform and widely regarded as a key promise to her conservative base. Political analysts suggest that this rejection signals a loss of confidence among the electorate on a critical issue that has defined the right-wing agenda in Italy for decades.
Daniele Albertazzi, a professor of politics at the University of Surrey, emphasized the gravity of the referendum results, describing them as a “bad, bad result” for Meloni. He noted that the outcome undermines her image of invincibility and could energize opposition forces, particularly if the center-left manages to consolidate its position ahead of the general elections. The referendum thus transcended its technical subject matter, becoming a de facto vote on Meloni’s leadership and the direction of her government.
The referendum, held over Sunday and Monday, sought to overhaul the structure and oversight of Italy’s judiciary. Specifically, it aimed to separate the roles of judges and prosecutors and to reform the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSM), the body responsible for judicial appointments and discipline. The government argued these changes were essential to ensuring impartiality and restoring public trust in the courts.
However, opposition parties and critics vehemently opposed the reforms, accusing Meloni’s administration of attempting to exert greater control over an independent judiciary. They argued that the proposed changes would politicize the judiciary further rather than address the systemic problems plaguing Italy’s justice system, such as lengthy trials, a massive backlog of cases, and overcrowded prisons. Many Italians found the reform complex and difficult to fully comprehend, which contributed to the referendum becoming a proxy battle over broader political issues rather than a straightforward judicial matter.
Despite the referendum’s apparent failure, Meloni has dismissed calls to resign or abandon her agenda. Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, leader of the Five Star Movement and a vocal opponent of the reforms, celebrated the “No” vote as a victory for the constitution and judicial independence. The final, official results are expected to be announced later on Monday or Tuesday, confirming the preliminary trends.
Judicial reform has long been a rallying point for Italy’s right-wing politicians, dating back to former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who frequently accused magistrates of left-wing bias during his numerous legal battles. Meloni’s government has continued this narrative, with Justice Minister Carlo Nordio recently describing the judiciary as influenced by a “para-Mafia mechanism” that the reforms sought to dismantle.
The proposed changes included preventing judges and prosecutors from switching roles—a practice currently rare but viewed by the government as fostering inappropriate closeness between the two groups, potentially compromising defendants’ rights. The most contentious aspect of the reform involved restructuring the CSM by splitting it into two separate councils for judges and prosecutors, and establishing a new 15-member disciplinary court. Members of this court would be selected by lottery rather than peer election, with some appointees drawn from parliamentary lists.
Opponents argued that dividing the CSM and introducing random selection would expose members to increased political influence and undermine meritocratic principles. They warned that these reforms could weaken judicial independence rather than strengthen it, fueling concerns about the politicization of Italy’s legal system.
As Italy awaits the final referendum results, the political landscape appears poised for significant shifts. The rejection of Meloni’s judicial reforms not only challenges her government’s agenda but also reshapes the dynamics ahead of the upcoming national elections, potentially opening the door for renewed opposition momentum.
