Italy’s Meloni loses key referendum ahead of 2027 Italian election

ROME – Italian voters emphatically rejected a flagship judicial reform championed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, dealing a blow to her right-wing coalition ahead of the 2027 general election.

With most ballots counted after the referendum on March 22 and 23, the opposition-backed “No” bloc took almost 54 per cent of the vote against 46 per cent who approved of the government drive to rewrite the Constitution and revamp Italy’s fiercely independent judiciary.

“The Italians have decided and we respect this decision,” Ms Meloni said in a message posted on social media.

“Clearly, we regret this missed opportunity to modernise Italy, but this does not change our commitment to keep working seriously and resolutely for the good of the nation,” she added, making clear that she was not resigning.

Turnout was much higher than expected at almost 60 per cent, with voters apparently energised by an ill-tempered campaign that laid bare deep animosity between the right-wing coalition and Italy’s magistrates, and that will leave lasting scars.

Magistrates sing Bella Ciao in celebration

Around 50 magistrates gathered in the courthouse of the southern city of Naples to follow the count and started singing the anti-fascist anthem of resistance Bella Ciao when it became clear the government had lost.

The defeat strips Ms Meloni of her aura of being a winner in the eyes of the Italian electorate after four years of victories in a string of local and national polls.

“When leaders lose their magic touch, everyone starts to doubt them, and there is one thing they absolutely cannot do. They can't pretend it is business as usual,” said Mr Matteo Renzi, who himself quit as prime minister in 2016 after losing a referendum on his own constitutional reform agenda.

By contrast, the result may re-energise the fragmented centre-left, giving the two largest opposition parties, the Democratic Party and 5-Star Movement, the impetus to forge a broad alliance to take on the conservative bloc.

“We've done it! Long live the Constitution,” said 5-Star head and former prime minister Giuseppe Conte.

The timing of the contest proved challenging for Ms Meloni, with Italians harbouring a clear dislike of her ally, US President Donald Trump, and fearful that the US-Israeli war on Iran will drive up already high domestic power prices.

Italian Constitution proves hard to change

Pollsters said in the run-up to the ballot that many who voted “No” would likely do so to register dissatisfaction with Ms Meloni’s administration rather than engaging with the substance of the highly technical reform.

The referendum proposed separating the careers of judges and public prosecutors, and splitting magistrates’ self-governing body into two sections, with members chosen by lot rather than elected.

The government argued that the changes were needed to make the judiciary more accountable for its mistakes and prevent politically motivated factions from controlling top jobs.

By the government’s own admission, the changes would not have addressed one of the main problems afflicting Italy – a notoriously slow legal system that weighs on the economy.

Italian politicians have tried on numerous occasions to alter aspects of the Constitution, but have almost always failed.

Written after World War II, the Republic’s founding charter deliberately disperses power and requires broad consensus for any changes. This, in turn, often transforms proposed amendments into national verdicts on the government of the day.

The March 23 defeat leaves Ms Meloni weakened domestically as she grapples with a stagnant economy and complex international headwinds. It could also weaken her standing in Europe, where previously she was seen as unexpectedly resilient and enduring. REUTERS