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Meloni admits defeat as Italians reject judicial reform in major referendum
About 54% of Italian voters rejected a judicial reform splitting judges and prosecutors' careers, seen as a bid to increase government control over the judiciary.
- On March 23, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni conceded defeat after Italian voters rejected the judicial reform, with nearly 54% voting 'No'.
- Because it lacked the required majority, the reforms went to a confirmatory referendum after Parliament approved the reform but failed to secure the two-thirds majority needed in October 2025, while the government argued the changes were needed to make the judiciary more accountable.
- The reform would have split the Superior Council of the Judiciary and replaced peer elections drawn by lot with a 15-member Disciplinary Court, although only a tiny minority currently switch roles.
- The result leaves Meloni weakened domestically, with Monday's defeat likely affecting her standing before next year's elections, as the resignation of the president of the National Association of Magistrates coincided with preliminary results.
- Pollsters said many 'No' votes reflected dissatisfaction with Meloni's government, with nearly 59% turnout marking an energized electorate ahead of next year's elections.
253 Articles
253 Articles
Italy voters reject judicial reform in constitutional referendum
The highly anticipated Italian constitutional referendum was rejected on Monday, according to published results, with roughly 53 percent voting against and about 47 percent in favor. The referendum, or “Justice Reform,” was called by presidential decree on January 13 and scheduled for March 22-23. It was governed by Article 138 of the Italian Constitution, which requires eligible voters to vote on constitutional amendments following legislative …
The reference to justice rejected from Italy should also give thought to the authorities of Bucharest. Because it is not just about an Italian internal policy episode, there is a warning for all democracies where political sentiment towards prosecutors tries to deduce in "reform", writes Christian Danileț, in a published text...
The proposal to reform the justice system of the far-right and right-wing government was rejected. A failure for the President of the Council, who was committed to the "yes". ...
The Italian voter's no to judicial reform is the most painful defeat that Giorgia Meloni has had to take in throughout her political career.
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- 41% of the sources lean Left
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