A two-day referendum in Italy rejected proposed judicial reforms championed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, prompting her to acknowledge the outcome while reaffirming her commitment to modernization.
Rejection of Judicial Reform
Italy’s proposed judicial reform failed to pass in a referendum, with initial results showing 54% of citizens voting against the changes. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed regret over the “lost opportunity for modernization” following the outcome of the two-day vote.
Referendum Turnout and Reaction
Turnout for the referendum, which concluded Monday afternoon, reached 59%, according to Italy’s Ministry of the Interior. Meloni stated that sovereignty belongs to the people and that the government respected the citizens’ decision.
“We did what we promised; we carried out a reform of the judiciary that was written in our electoral program. We supported it to the end, and then we left the decision to the citizens, and the citizens decided. And we, as always, respect their decision,” Meloni said.
Regret and Continued Commitment
Despite the disappointment, Meloni affirmed her government’s continued dedication to working for the good of the nation. “Of course, there is regret for the 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 and to fulfill the mandate entrusted to us,” she stated.
Key Provisions of the Proposed Reform
The core of the proposed legislation, passed by parliament last year, aimed to separate the careers of judges and prosecutors. Currently, both roles are part of the same judicial body, allowing for transitions between positions. The reform sought to eliminate this possibility, creating distinct career paths.
Changes to Judicial Governance
The reform also addressed the composition of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, which currently includes both judges and prosecutors. The proposed changes would have established two separate councils – one for judges and one for prosecutors.
The legislation introduced a lottery system for selecting some members of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, intended to reduce the influence of factions within the judicial system.
Disciplinary Measures and a New Court
A High Disciplinary Court was proposed, designed as an autonomous body to handle disciplinary matters involving judges and prosecutors. This court would be composed of randomly selected judges and university professors.
Supporters of the reform argued the court was necessary to objectively address cases where individuals are arrested without sufficient evidence or face lengthy delays in receiving written justifications for verdicts.
Constitutional Amendments and Scope of Reform
The reform required amendments to several articles of the Italian constitution, concerning the structure of the judiciary, self-governance of judges, and disciplinary responsibility.
