Italian voters reject judicial reform in a setback for PM Giorgia Meloni

Italian voters on Monday rejected a judicial reform backed by conservative Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, delivering a stinging setback to the right-wing government one year ahead of national elections.“Italian citizens have decided and we respect their decision as always,” Meloni said in a video posted on Instagram. She pledged, as anticipated, to complete her mandate, which runs into 2027.“We will move forward as we always have: with responsibility, determination, and above all, with respect for Italy and its people,” Meloni said, admitting some “regret for a missed opportunity to modernise Italy”.The “No” camp won almost 54 per cent of the vote against the government‑backed “Yes” campaign, which secured about 46 per cent, according to final results released by the Interior Ministry.People in Rome celebrate the results of the referendum. Photo: IPA via ZUMA Press/dpaTurnout over the two‑day ballot, which began Sunday, was considerably higher than expected at almost 59 per cent following a polarising campaign. It energised the centre‑left opposition, which framed the reform as a threat to judicial independence, while simultaneously exposing divisions within Meloni’s right‑wing coalition.The proposed judicial reform had been billed by Meloni’s coalition as a key step towards streamlining Italy’s judicial system - long criticised as slow, bureaucratic and vulnerable to political influence.