Italians have dealt a significant blow to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government by rejecting her justice reforms in a referendum, with the 'No' camp securing around 53.5% of the vote.
Meloni, who has led a stable government since taking office in October 2022, insisted that the result would not change her commitment to working for the nation's good.
However, the defeat is seen as a major setback for the prime minister, with experts warning that it could weaken her image and potentially impact her party's performance in next year's parliamentary elections.
The referendum aimed to reform the justice system by separating the roles of judges and prosecutors and changing the oversight body, but critics argued that it was an attempt to exert more control over independent judges.
Opposition parties had campaigned hard for a 'No' vote, and the result is seen as a victory for them, with the leader of the centre-left Democratic Party, Elly Schlein, calling it a 'clear political message' ahead of the elections.
