Italian voters have clearly rejected key justice reform pushed by the prime minister, dealing a blow to the right-wing governing coalition ahead of next year’s general election.
With most votes counted after the March 22-23 referendum, the opposition-backed “No” camp won nearly 54 percent to 46 percent in favor of the government’s proposal to revise the Constitution and restructure Italy’s highly independent judiciary.
“The Italians have decided and we respect that decision,” Meloni said in a social media post.
“Obviously we regret this lost opportunity to modernize Italy, but this does not change our commitment to continue working with seriousness and determination for the good of the nation,” he added, clarifying that he has no intention of resigning.
Turnout was far higher than expected, reaching nearly 60 percent, with voters galvanized by a bitterly contentious election campaign that highlighted the deep divide between the right-wing ruling coalition and the judiciary.
Judges sing ‘Bella Ciao’
About 50 judges gathered at the courthouse in the southern city of Naples and began singing the anti-fascist resistance song “Bella Ciao” when it became clear that the government had been defeated.
The defeat removes from Meloni the image of being politically “invincible”, after four years of electoral successes at the local and national level.
“When a leader loses his momentum, everyone begins to doubt. And there is one thing he cannot do: pretend nothing is happening,” said Matteo Renzi, who resigned in 2016 after losing his own referendum on constitutional reform.
Instead, the result could give new impetus to the fragmented center-left, encouraging the two largest opposition parties to form a broader alliance against the conservative bloc.
“We made it! Long live the Constitution,” said 5 Star Movement leader and former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.
The timing of the referendum proved difficult for Meloni, as many Italians are wary of US President Donald Trump and worry that international conflicts will further drive up already high energy costs.
Difficult to change the Italian Constitution
Pollsters estimated before the vote that many of those who chose “No” did so mainly to express dissatisfaction with the government, rather than because of the technical content of the reform.
The referendum envisioned separating the careers of judges and prosecutors, as well as splitting the self-governing Judiciary into two divisions, with members chosen by lottery instead of election. The government argued that these changes would strengthen accountability and limit political interference.
However, even the government itself acknowledged that the reforms would not solve one of Italy’s key problems: an extremely slow judicial system, which is weighing on the economy.
Italian politicians have tried many times to amend the Constitution, but almost always without success.
The Constitution, enacted after World War II, diffuses power and requires broad consensus for change, often turning such initiatives into referendums of confidence in the current government.
The defeat leaves Meloni politically weakened at home, while facing a stagnant economy and difficult international challenges. At the same time, it may also affect its position in Europe, where until now it was considered particularly resistant politically.
