In the wake of a significant referendum defeat that dealt a blow to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government, two prominent officials from Italy’s justice ministry tendered their resignations on Tuesday. This development comes just a day after Italians overwhelmingly rejected proposed reforms aimed at overhauling the nation’s judiciary, a move that had been vigorously championed by Meloni and her administration.
The first to step down was Undersecretary Andrea Delmastro, a member of Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party. Delmastro’s resignation followed revelations that he held a financial stake in a Rome-based restaurant connected to the mafia. This connection raised serious questions about his judgment and integrity, especially given the sensitive nature of his role within the justice ministry. The controversy intensified when it was disclosed that Delmastro had failed to declare this business interest to parliament, a legal requirement for public officials.
Further complicating Delmastro’s position was the discovery of a photograph from 2023 showing him alongside Andrea Caroccia, a man convicted of mafia-related crimes linked to the Camorra, a notorious criminal organization operating in the Naples region. This image suggested a closer relationship than previously acknowledged, casting a shadow over Delmastro’s assurances that he had divested his stake once he became aware of his partner’s criminal background. In his resignation statement, Delmastro admitted to a lapse in judgment but maintained that he had not engaged in any illegal activity. He emphasized his longstanding commitment to fighting crime and expressed regret for the error, which he said he corrected promptly upon learning the facts.
Meanwhile, Giusi Bartolozzi, the ministry’s chief of staff, also resigned on the same day. Although she was not implicated in the Delmastro scandal, Bartolozzi faced mounting criticism for controversial remarks made during the referendum campaign. She had urged voters to support the judicial reform by suggesting that Italy needed to rid itself of what she described as a “firing squad” judiciary, a phrase that sparked outrage and further polarized public opinion. Her resignation adds to the atmosphere of instability within the justice ministry, which is grappling with the fallout from the referendum’s decisive rejection.
Despite these high-profile departures, both Prime Minister Meloni and Justice Minister Carlo Nordio have stood firm, rejecting calls for their own resignations. They have defended their efforts to reform Italy’s fiercely independent judiciary, arguing that the changes were necessary to improve the legal system. However, the referendum outcome clearly indicated widespread public resistance to these reforms, reflecting deep-rooted skepticism about government interference in judicial affairs.
The twin resignations underscore the challenges facing Meloni’s administration as it navigates a period of political uncertainty and public dissatisfaction. The scandal surrounding Delmastro, coupled with Bartolozzi’s contentious comments, provided the opposition with ample ammunition to criticize the government’s handling of justice sector reforms. As Italy moves forward, the justice ministry will need to rebuild trust and demonstrate a renewed commitment to transparency and accountability.
