Giorgia Meloni faces the most challenging period of her premiership following a decisive defeat in a referendum on justice reform. The result has weakened her authority and jeopardized her reform agenda, leaving her with limited options for regaining momentum.
The referendum, which sought to overhaul Italy’s judiciary, was rejected by 53.7% of voters, despite a tense campaign and strong voter turnout. Following the outcome, two officials resigned from the justice ministry, and Prime Minister Meloni requested the resignation of a minister.
The vote is widely seen as an affirmation of Italy’s democratic principles and the constitution established after Mussolini’s dictatorship. Meloni, who previously led one of Italy’s most stable postwar governments, now finds herself under significant pressure after failing to secure public support for her proposed judicial changes.