Italian Prime Minister Meloni concedes referendum defeat

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has conceded defeat in a referendum on her proposed justice reforms, stating that “the Italians have decided” and expressing respect for the outcome. In a statement released on X, she acknowledged that the result was “a lost opportunity to modernise Italy.” However, she reiterated her commitment to continue working for the nation’s good, despite not handing in her resignation.

Meloni’s government had sought to amend Italy’s constitution to separate judges and prosecutors’ roles and reform their oversight body. The proposed changes aimed to ensure impartiality and improve the functioning of Italy’s justice system. Critics, including Elly Schlein from the Democratic Party, argued that the proposal was poorly drafted and would weaken judicial independence.

The referendum campaign was marked by intense opposition within the judiciary, with over 80% of National Magistrates Association members staging a one-day strike last year. Justice Minister Carlo Nordio had previously stated that the reform would address a “para-mafia mechanism” within the judiciary. However, his comments were met with criticism from some quarters.

The proposed reforms involved changes to the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSM), which was set to be divided into two separate councils and a new disciplinary court. The changes aimed to prevent judges and public prosecutors from switching between roles and address concerns about cosy relations between the two groups.

In a video statement, Meloni expressed her commitment to continuing to work for the nation’s good, despite the referendum outcome. She stated that “this does not change our commitment” and vowed to honour the mandate entrusted to her government.

Source: Al Jazeera