Proper-wing PM Giorgia Meloni faces a political take a look at within the two-day referendum on contested judicial reform.
Printed On 22 Mar 2026
Italians are voting in a two-day referendum on reforms that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says will make the judiciary extra unbiased as critics argue it should do the alternative.
The vote on Sunday and Monday dangers turning right into a referendum on the right-wing chief herself earlier than parliamentary elections subsequent yr.
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Meloni’s authorities desires to alter the Italian Structure to separate the roles of judges and prosecutors and reform their oversight physique. She says the plan is important to ensure impartiality and enhance the functioning of Italy’s creaky justice system.
It should make it “extra fashionable, extra meritocratic, extra autonomous, extra accountable and, above all, free from political constraints”, Meloni mentioned in a video this previous week.
However critics condemn it as a political energy seize that fails to handle the true challenges, together with years-long trials and jail overcrowding.
Elly Schlein, chief of the centre-left Democratic Social gathering, mentioned the referendum is badly drafted and “weakens the independence of the judiciary”.
Opinion polls indicated the 2 camps are neck and neck.
A decisive “no” can be a blow for Meloni, who has led an uncharacteristically steady coalition authorities since October 2022. Nonetheless, she has dismissed recommendations that she may give up if she loses.
Polls shut at 3pm (14:00 GMT) on Monday with preliminary outcomes anticipated later that day.
Probably the most divisive a part of the reform includes adjustments to the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSM), an oversight and disciplinary physique whose members are elected by their friends and parliament.
The reform would divide the CSM into two councils, one for judges and one for prosecutors, and create a 15-member disciplinary courtroom.
Members can be drawn by tons, not voted for by their friends, with three members of the courtroom chosen by Italy’s ceremonial president and three from an inventory of skilled attorneys accredited by parliament.
Prison defence lawyer Franco Moretti, who heads the “no” marketing campaign, mentioned the brand new courtroom risked being “the armed wing of politics”.
“When wanted, it may very well be used to settle scores with that a part of the judiciary that has dared to the touch it,” he mentioned at a debate this month.
Analysts mentioned Meloni would seemingly obtain a serious increase from a “sure” win as she grapples with the fallout from the Iran warfare and a stagnant financial system close to the tip of her mandate.
A win for the centre left – nonetheless trailing Meloni’s bloc in opinion polls – would strengthen its efforts to construct an alliance able to difficult the prime minister.
