Italians have rejected Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s proposal to reform the judiciary, delivering a setback to her government less than a year before the next national election. Final Interior Ministry results show the referendum failing by 53.7% to 46.3%, with turnout approaching 60%, the highest for a referendum in a decade. The outcome reflects broader public frustration with economic stagnation, rather than purely technical opposition to judicial changes.
Meloni had personally campaigned for the reform in its final days, appearing on podcasts and in media interviews to urge voters to back a “fairer” judicial system. Her message suggested that while citizens might disagree with her at future elections, the judiciary reforms were critical to Italy’s governance. Despite the charm offensive, key cities including Rome, Bologna, and Florence registered more than 60% opposition, signaling the public’s readiness to use the vote to express discontent with everyday living conditions.
The prime minister’s party, the right-wing Brothers of Italy, governs in coalition with the nationalist League and center-right Forza Italia. While internal tensions have occasionally surfaced, analysts say the referendum defeat could exacerbate infighting within the center-right bloc. Former Premier Giuseppe Conte, leader of the Five Star Movement, described the results as “an eviction notice for Meloni,” highlighting the political signal sent by voters’ rejection.
Despite the setback, Meloni’s standing in national polls remains relatively stable. Ipsos surveys published earlier this month projected her party at 28% of voter support. Calls for her resignation are unlikely to gain traction, in part because Italian referendums, while politically significant, do not automatically mandate leadership changes. Former Premier Matteo Renzi resigned in 2016 after losing a constitutional referendum, a precedent not automatically applicable to Meloni’s case. Renzi commented on Monday that “when a leader loses their magic touch, everyone starts to doubt,” framing the broader challenge of maintaining authority after a political setback.
Meloni, however, has vowed to remain in office, asserting that the government will “honor the mandate” it received. The referendum capped a years-long effort by the center-right to curb what they describe as overreach by the judiciary. Meloni has repeatedly clashed with courts, accusing them of left-wing bias—a charge the judiciary denies. Courts have blocked or altered government projects, including a $15.6 billion bridge connecting mainland Italy to Sicily and plans to reroute some asylum seekers to Albania.
The prime minister had sought to fast-track the vote as polling suggested diminishing support, but President Sergio Mattarella advised against such a move, citing constitutional precedent, Bloomberg reported in January. After the No camp secured a clear lead with over 70% of ballots counted, Meloni issued a concession on X, recording a brief video in a garden. She stated, “Sovereignty belongs to the people, and Italians today have expressed themselves clearly. The government did what it promised; it advanced a reform contained in our program, backed it till the very end, and then put the choice to citizens. And citizens have decided. And we respect their decision as we have always done.”
While not a catastrophic defeat, the referendum underscores the delicate balancing act for Meloni as she shifts focus to the 2027 re-election campaign. Analysts say the vote serves as both a warning and a gauge of public sentiment, reflecting dissatisfaction with stagnating economic conditions more than opposition to judicial reforms themselves. Bloomberg observers note that the result could influence coalition dynamics and policy strategy in the months ahead.
