Italy’s justice referendum becomes a high stakes test for conservative Premier Giorgia Meloni

A woman arrives to vote in a referendum on judicial reform, at a polling station in Milan, Italy, Sunday March 22, 2026. (Marco Ottico/Lapresse via AP) 2026-03-22T06:04:34Z ROME (AP) — Italy’s conservative premier, Giorgia Meloni , faces a pivotal political test in a two-day referendum on judicial reform that started on Sunday, a vote that has transformed into a broader judgment on her leadership at home and abroad. Originally presented as a technical overhaul of the justice system, the reform has sharpened political divisions and unified the center‑left opposition, turning the referendum into a symbolic showdown on Meloni’s strength one year ahead of national elections. Recent polls show the race remains too close to call, with the “No” camp gaining late momentum in a polarized climate where turnout may prove decisive. After five hours of voting on the first day, according to Italy’s Interior Ministry, turnout reached almost 15% of eligible voters. That is the highest turnout for any two-day referendum in the past 23 years. Lorenzo Pregliasco, political analyst and polling expert at YouTrend, said a rejection of the reform would carry significant political weight. “A possible ‘No’ victory would send a political signal, weakening Meloni’s aura of invincibility, while pushing the center-left opposition to say that there is already an alternative in the country,” he told The Associated Press. Meloni raises the stakes Meloni initially avoided tying her image too closely to the referendum, wary of the danger that a defeat could weaken her domestically and abroad. She currently presides over Italy’s most stable government in years, after gaining credibility among her European allies as a charismatic leader. A referendum win would further strengthen her tenure at home, alongside her international standing. That’s why, as the vote neared and polls tightened, the Italian premier shifted strategy and fully embraced the “Yes” campaign. Meloni has sharpened her rhetoric, accus

原文链接: AP News