Italian Voters Reject Meloni's Judicial Reform 55-45% in Constitutional Referendum; Echoes Renzi's 2016 Defeat

Italian voters rejected PM Meloni's constitutional reform to separate judicial career paths for judges and prosecutors, with 55% voting no on 59% turnout. Meloni conceded but pledged to remain in office through 2027. The reform would have restructured the Superior Council of the Magistracy and created a new Disciplinary Court. The defeat — Meloni's first significant setback since taking power in 2022 — parallels Renzi's 2016 referendum loss that ended his premiership. Combined with the French municipal results showing far-right limits, the European populist right faces headwinds on institutional reform even where it holds government power.