Italian voters have decisively rejected a constitutional reform spearheaded by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, handing a setback to her right-wing coalition ahead of 2027’s general elections.
With nearly all ballots counted, the opposition-backed “No” bloc secured almost 54%, compared with 46% in favour of rewriting the constitution and restructuring the judiciary. Turnout was around 60%, higher than anticipated, reflecting intense public engagement with the contentious campaign.
Key developments:
• Judges and prosecutors had proposed career separation and changes to the self-governing body, which voters rejected
• Opposition leaders, including Giuseppe Conte, celebrated the vote as a defence of the constitution
• Pollsters suggest many voters opposed the reform to signal dissatisfaction with Meloni’s administration rather than technical aspects
By the government’s own admission, the reforms would not have solved one of Italy’s persistent challenges — a slow and inefficient legal system that burdens the economy.
This limitation is compounded by the fact that constitutional amendments in Italy are rarely successful, reflecting the Republic’s deliberately complex framework.
With next year’s elections approaching, the referendum outcome may energise the centre-left, potentially reshaping Italy’s political landscape.
ℹ️ Reuters
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