Italy to vote on judicial reform in high-stakes referendum

Italians are heading to the polls for a two-day referendum on judicial reforms championed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni—an initiative she says will strengthen the independence of the legal system. Critics, however, warn the vote risks becoming a referendum on her leadership ahead of parliamentary elections next year.

Meloni’s government is proposing constitutional changes to separate the roles of judges and prosecutors, alongside reforms to the judiciary’s oversight structure. She argues the measures are necessary to ensure impartiality and improve the efficiency of Italy’s long-criticised justice system, as Italian media reports.

It will make it “more modern, more meritocratic, more autonomous, more accountable and, above all, free from political constraints”, Meloni said in a video this past week.

Opposition figures remain unconvinced. The referendum, scheduled for March 22 and 23, has drawn criticism from Elly Schlein, leader of the centre-left Democratic Party, who described the proposal as poorly designed and warned it “weakens the independence of the judiciary”.

At the heart of the debate is the proposed overhaul of the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSM), the body responsible for oversight and discipline within the judicial system. Currently, its members are elected by fellow magistrates and parliament.

Under the reform, the CSM would be split into two separate councils—one for judges and one for prosecutors—and a new 15-member disciplinary court would be established.

The selection process would also change significantly. Members would be chosen by lot rather than elected by peers, with three members appointed by Italy’s largely ceremonial president and another three drawn from a list of experienced lawyers approved by parliament.

Opinion polls suggest a tight race between supporters and opponents of the reform. Franco Moretti, a criminal defence lawyer leading the “no” campaign, warned that the proposed disciplinary court could become “the armed wing of politics”.

“When needed, it could be used to settle scores with that part of the judiciary that has dared to touch it,” he said during a debate earlier this month.

Analysts say the outcome could carry significant political consequences. A “yes” vote would likely give Meloni a boost as she navigates the fallout from the Iran war and a sluggish economy toward the end of her term.

Conversely, a decisive “no” would represent a setback for the prime minister, who has led a relatively stable coalition government since October 2022. Still, Meloni has rejected suggestions that she would resign if the reforms are defeated.

By Nazrin Sadigova