Italians vote in high-stakes justice referendum in key test for Meloni

Right-wing PM Giorgia Meloni faces a political test in the two-day referendum on contested judicial reform.Italians are voting in a two-day referendum on reforms that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says will make the judiciary more independent as critics argue it will do the opposite.The vote on Sunday and Monday risks turning into a referendum on the right-wing leader herself before parliamentary elections next year.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4EU leaders express solidarity with Gulf countries amid Iranian attackslist 2 of 4Macron and Meloni clash over killing of French far-right activist in Lyonlist 3 of 4Italy advances migration bill, including naval blockadeslist 4 of 4Italy says cannot join Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ because of constitutionend of listMeloni’s government wants to change the Italian Constitution to separate the roles of judges and prosecutors and reform their oversight body. She says the plan is essential to guarantee impartiality and improve the functioning of Italy’s creaky justice system.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.But critics condemn it as a political power grab that fails to address the real challenges, including years-long trials and prison overcrowding.Elly Schlein, leader of the centre-left Democratic Party, said the referendum is badly drafted and “weakens the independence of the judiciary”.Opinion polls indicated the two camps are neck and neck.A decisive “no” would be a blow for Meloni, who has led an uncharacteristically stable coalition government since October 2022. However, she has dismissed suggestions that she might quit if she loses.Polls close at 3pm (14:00 GMT) on Monday with preliminary results expected later that day.The most divisive part of the reform involves changes to the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSM), an oversight and disciplinary body whose members are elected by their peers and parliament.