Italian voters have overwhelmingly rejected a controversial judicial reform championed by conservative Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, dealing a significant political blow to the right-wing coalition just one year before national elections.
According to near-final data from Italy’s Interior Ministry, the opposition ‘No’ campaign secured approximately 54% of votes, decisively defeating the government-backed ‘Yes’ side which garnered about 46%. The two-day referendum witnessed unexpectedly high voter participation at nearly 59%, reflecting the intensely polarized nature of the political debate surrounding the proposed reforms.
The judicial overhaul, which had been subject to extensive national discussion, proposed fundamental changes to Italy’s justice system. Central to the reform package was the complete separation of career tracks for judges and prosecutors, eliminating the traditional practice of professionals switching between these roles. Additionally, the legislation sought to restructure the High Judicial Council—the governing body responsible for judicial appointments and disciplinary actions—by dividing it into three distinct chambers and modifying its selection process from internal elections to a lottery system among eligible magistrates.
The referendum outcome has exposed deepening fractures within Meloni’s governing coalition while energizing the center-left opposition. This electoral defeat poses substantial challenges to the Prime Minister’s domestic authority and international standing, potentially complicating her alignment with U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration’s contentious policies toward Iran.