Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has conceded defeat after voters rejected a government-backed referendum on justice reform. The proposal, which sought to separate the careers of judges and prosecutors, was defeated with a clear majority voting against the change.
With nearly all ballots counted, the "No" vote stood at approximately 54%, according to official results from the Italian Ministry of the Interior. The referendum, held on March 23, 2026, saw a turnout of around 41% of eligible voters.
In a statement following the result, Meloni acknowledged the defeat but affirmed her commitment to continue governing. "The Italian people have spoken, and we respect their decision," she said, while insisting her political agenda would move forward on other fronts.
The referendum was a key part of the judicial reform agenda of Meloni's right-wing coalition government. Its failure represents a significant political setback for the administration, which had championed the measure as a necessary step to ensure judicial impartiality.
