Italians vote 'No' in justice referendum, rejecting Meloni proposal to emasculate magistrature

 ROME – Italians voting in a referendum that ended Monday overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to ‘reform’ the justice system in a major defeat for the embattled Government of Italian Prime Minuster Giorgia Meloni, according to exit polls and first results.

 As many as 53 percent of those voting cast ‘No’ ballots for the proposal, which the centre-left opposition had warned would mean reducing the independence of the judiciary as enshrined in the country’s post-war democratic constitution. The magistrature are widely seen as the last bastion defending Italy against political corruption and organised crime.

 Justice Minister Carlo Nordio acknowledged the government had been defeated in the plebiscite. “I take note with respect of the decision of the people,” he said. Ms Meloni’s popularity has plummeted recently due to her support of U.S. President Trump and the impact of the U.S.-Israeli war on energy prices and the cost of living in Italy.

 jp