Rome, Italy. Italians began voting on Sunday in a referendum to confirm a contested judicial reform proposed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a key test for her right-wing coalition ahead of a general election due next year.
What voters are deciding
Voters are being asked whether to back constitutional changes that would separate the career paths of judges and public prosecutors and split Italy’s judicial self-governing body into two separate entities, an issue that has long been politically contentious.
Campaign and voting timetable
The vote follows a heated campaign between the Meloni-led “yes” camp and centre-left opponents supporting the “no.” Polls are due to close at 3 p.m. (1400 GMT) on Monday.
Opposition concerns and government response
The opposition, led by the Democratic Party and the 5-Star Movement, has warned the reform would undermine judicial independence and allow political interference, arguing it could enable Meloni to tighten her grip on power.
The government has rejected that criticism, saying the reform is needed to curb the politicised election of members to the self-ruling High Council of the Judiciary (CSM) after scandals exposed backroom deals over senior prosecutor appointments.
Political stakes and polling
Analysts say Meloni would likely gain a major boost from a “yes” victory as she deals with fallout from the Iran war and a stagnant economy near the end of her mandate.
A win for the centre-left, which is still trailing Meloni’s bloc in opinion polls, would strengthen efforts to build an alliance capable of challenging the prime minister.
Polls published before a two-week pre-ballot blackout took effect showed the two sides neck-and-neck, amid suggestions that some Meloni supporters may stay home because of disengagement over what has been described as a highly complex issue.
How do you think the referendum result could affect Italy’s political landscape ahead of next year’s election?