Italian Voters Reject Meloni's Judiciary Overhaul

A Decisive Blow to Meloni's Agenda

Italian voters have rejected Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's proposed constitutional overhaul of the judiciary in a two-day referendum held on March 22–23, dealing the far-right leader her first major political setback since taking office in October 2022. With nearly all ballots counted, approximately 55% of voters opposed the reform, while 45% supported it. Turnout reached nearly 59% — significantly higher than many analysts had predicted.

Meloni conceded defeat on Sunday evening, calling the result "a lost opportunity to modernise Italy" but vowing to continue governing. "The Italians have decided, and we respect this decision," she said, reaffirming her commitment to serve out her mandate through 2027.

What the Reform Proposed

The constitutional amendment rested on three pillars. First, it would have separated the career paths of judges and prosecutors, eliminating the possibility for magistrates to switch between roles — a feature unique to Italy's legal system. Second, it aimed to split the Superior Council of the Magistracy (CSM), the judiciary's governing body, into two separate councils — one for judges and one for prosecutors. Third, it would have created a new 15-member disciplinary court whose members were to be selected by sortition rather than peer election.

Meloni's government argued these changes were essential to guarantee judicial impartiality and modernise a notoriously slow justice system plagued by years-long trials and prison overcrowding.

Opposition Unites Against "Power Grab"

Critics framed the reform as a political power grab masquerading as modernisation. Elly Schlein, leader of the centre-left Democratic Party, called the result "a rejection of this government's arrogance" in attempting to push through what she described as a flawed reform that would upset the constitutional balance of power.

Giuseppe Conte, leader of the Five Star Movement, said the outcome reflected broader frustration with the Meloni government. "People want to turn the page, signalling a demand for a different kind of politics — one more attentive to people's needs and less focused on shielding politicians from investigation," he told reporters.

The judiciary itself had voiced strong opposition: more than 80% of members of Italy's National Magistrates Association staged a one-day strike last year in protest against the proposed changes.

Political Fallout and European Echoes

The defeat carries significant political implications. It is the first major setback for what has been an uncharacteristically stable Italian coalition government, and it comes just a year before parliamentary elections. The higher-than-expected turnout energised the centre-left opposition, which emerged from the campaign more united than it has been in years. Schlein declared that opposition forces would "build a real alternative to this government."

The result also resonates beyond Italy's borders. At a time when judicial independence faces pressure across Europe — from Poland's protracted rule-of-law disputes to Hungary's ongoing friction with EU institutions — Italian voters sent a clear signal that constitutional safeguards for an independent judiciary remain a priority for European democracies.

What Comes Next

Meloni has ruled out resignation and insists her coalition remains stable. However, the referendum result raises questions about her ability to advance other ambitious constitutional projects, including a proposed shift to direct election of the prime minister. With the 2027 elections on the horizon, the judiciary vote may prove to be a turning point — not just for Meloni's premiership, but for the trajectory of Italian politics.