Production: By Europod, in co-production with Sphera Network.
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You can find the transcript here if you prefer reading:
Giorgia Meloni has just suffered her first major defeat.
On Monday, she lost the judicial referendum she had called. A defeat that will not lead to her resignation, she declared.
But could this first setback weaken her both in Italy and internationally?
The turnout was particularly high for the referendum called by Giorgia Meloni in Italy on Sunday and Monday. Nearly 60 percent of voters cast their ballots — far more than the last referendum held in 2020 to reduce the number of lawmakers.
This shows strong mobilisation against the government’s reform proposal. But what exactly was at stake?
Giorgia Meloni took aim at judges, whom she believes lean too far to the left. Her camp has even called them the “red judges” for years, as they have often clashed with the political class.
The reform aimed to clearly distinguish between prosecutors and judges, preventing them from switching roles as they pleased.
Meloni also proposed selecting members of the High Council of the Judiciary by lottery rather than through peer nomination.
The stated goal: to reduce the influence of political factions on judges.
However, the issue Italians cared most about — the slowness of the judicial system — was not addressed in the proposal.
Instead, the Italian prime minister sought to reform a judicial system that has already challenged her, particularly on migration.
But did she go too far?
The Italian prime minister targeted a system that exposed endemic corruption within various political parties. The “Clean Hands” operation in the 1990s, for example, is seen as a judicial and political revolution.
This attack on the judiciary clearly did not sit well with Italians.
Meloni’s camp spared no effort. For weeks, they campaigned for the reform, even linking judges to immigration. Members of her party, Fratelli d’Italia, went so far as to create images of Muslim people praying for a “no” victory in the referendum.
But the campaign, in which Giorgia Meloni personally invested herself, failed. Expats believe the referendum result marks a turning point in Meloni’s political journey.
Since 2022, she has enjoyed an image of stability. She has managed to stay in power since 2022, where so many others have failed.
In 2016, prime minister Matteo Renzi resigned after losing a referendum on constitutional reform. On Monday, he stated that the prime minister should do the same. Former prime minister Giuseppe Conte echoed this call.
According to them, Giorgia Meloni is no longer credible as the country’s leader.
She, however, ruled out resigning. She intends to stay in power — at least until the next elections, which will take place no later than 2027.
Will this episode weaken her on the European and international stage?
Giorgia Meloni has built a reputation as a serious stateswoman, even recently appearing as an ally of German chancellor Friedrich Merz, in addition to being Donald Trump’s preferred interlocutor in Europe.
But her domestic failure deals a blow to her reputation abroad. As the far-right leader of one of the EU’s founding countries, Giorgia Meloni is closely watched by her peers.
Her attempt to gain control over the judicial system echoes the reforms imposed by Viktor Orbán in Hungary as early as 2011. Orbán reduced judicial independence by giving Parliament more power, particularly in appointing judges.
Orbán, who was isolated last week by other European leaders following yet another populist manoeuvre, may soon lose elections in his own country.
Does this mean the end of Giorgia Meloni’s leadership in Italy is near?
Perhaps not. The influence of far-right movements in Europe is far from over. In mid-March, the party of Giorgia Meloni still enjoyed the highest vote intention with 29 percent according to politico.
Until next year’s legislative elections, Giorgia Meloni will likely rely on the pragmatism she’s known for.
But one thing is certain: in Italy, a political laboratory for Europe, the people do not swallow attacks on the fundamentals of their constitution.
