T
he resounding victory of the "no" vote in Italy's referendum on judicial reform represents a major political turning point. Far beyond a mere technical rejection of a piece of legislation, the result has come as a political verdict for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has held power since October 2022. While she has ruled out resigning over the defeat, it has nonetheless dealt her a heavy blow, as the reform had been presented as a crucial test of her authority.
Voter turnout was exceptionally high for a referendum, being on par with the 2022 parliamentary elections, and it revealed the country's polarization. Rather than deciding on a reform, the vote revealed a rift: Two separate Italys, with comparable electoral power, faced off in a campaign on the reform, which was framed as a near-existential issue. The debate went far beyond the bill's content, coming to revolve around two opposing visions of democracy.
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