Italian Voters Deliver Stinging Rebuke to Meloni's Judicial Overhaul Plans
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has suffered a major political setback after voters decisively rejected her government's proposed overhaul of the country's judiciary in a national referendum. The result, which saw almost 54% of participants vote against the reforms, is expected to significantly weaken Meloni's standing and complicate her coalition's path to victory in the next general election.
Record Turnout and Youth Opposition Drive Defeat
The two-day referendum produced a clear outcome, with approximately 46% supporting the judicial changes compared to 54% opposing them. Turnout reached a remarkable 58.5%, shattering predictions of low participation and indicating strong public engagement with the issue. Younger voters proved particularly instrumental in the defeat, with 61% of those aged 18 to 34 rejecting the proposals according to pollster Opinio for state broadcaster Rai.
In the days leading up to the vote, Meloni had attempted to court younger demographics through unconventional means, including an appearance on an irreverent podcast hosted by a rapper. Despite these efforts, the youth vote overwhelmingly opposed her government's plans.
Meloni's Response and Political Implications
As results became clear on Monday afternoon, Meloni stated: "The Italians have decided and we respect this decision. We will move forward, as we always have done, with responsibility, determination and respect towards the Italian people and Italy." However, political analysts suggest the defeat carries serious consequences for her leadership.
Roberto D'Alimonte, a politics professor at Luiss University in Rome, noted: "We're all surprised by the level of the turnout. I'm very impressed." He added concerning Meloni's position: "Her standing is going to suffer. She's going to be a weaker prime minister."
Technical Reforms and Inflammatory Campaign
The proposed judicial changes were technically complex, requiring amendments to Italy's post-fascism constitution. However, the referendum campaign was marked by inflammatory rhetoric from Meloni and her ministers toward the judiciary, which may have influenced voter sentiment. The nature of the campaign contrasted with the technical substance of the proposed reforms.
Broader Political Consequences
The referendum defeat threatens to undermine several key elements of Meloni's political agenda:
- Electoral law changes: The result makes it more difficult for Meloni's coalition to pass an electoral law that could secure them a comfortable victory in the 2027 general elections.
- Direct election proposal: Meloni's flagship policy allowing direct election of the prime minister, which would also require constitutional changes, now faces greater obstacles.
D'Alimonte explained: "This is her pet project. That is sitting in parliament waiting for the outcome of this referendum. The loss means she is going to lose the leverage to push it through." He added: "The other thing is when you start losing in politics, you might face a change in the wind. People start looking at you differently. You're not invincible. You made a mistake."
Challenging Political Environment
The referendum defeat comes at a particularly sensitive time for Meloni's government. The cost of living is rising amid widening conflict in the Middle East, and Meloni's close ideological alignment with Donald Trump creates complications given most Italians hold negative views of the former US president and oppose the war.
"This is an unfavourable environment for Meloni," D'Alimonte observed. "You have gas and electricity bills going up, and her association with Trump is something that even her voters think is problematic, to say the least."
Opposition Gains and Constitutional Celebration
The referendum outcome is expected to boost opposition parties, most of which supported the "no" campaign. This provides them with a potential platform for unity and building a credible challenge to Meloni's government. Giuseppe Conte, former prime minister and leader of the Five Star Movement, celebrated: "We did it – long live the constitution."
Despite the setback, Meloni's Brothers of Italy party continues to lead in polls with approximately 30% support, and the prime minister herself maintains strong personal approval ratings. Her government has demonstrated unusual stability for Italy since taking power in October 2022, and she has cultivated productive working relationships with many European leaders. However, the referendum result has undoubtedly damaged her aura of political invincibility.
