Meloni's Leadership Test: Italy's Judicial Reform Referendum

0:00On March 22nd, Italy's Prime Minister, Georgia Maloning, is facing a major test with a two-day referendum on judicial reform that kicked off Sunday. What started as a technical update to the justice system has turned into a nationwide vote on her leadership just one year before national elections. After five hours of voting on day one, turnout hit nearly 15 percent, the highest for any such referendum in the past 23 years. Polls show the yes and no sides neck and neck with the no campaign picking up steam in a divided atmosphere where voter participation could decide it. All. Malone first kept her distance, but recently jumped in fully, wrapping up her push for yes by criticizing parts of the judiciary for slowing down work. On migration and security, voters and experts are split. Supporters see the changes as a way to speed up Italy's slow courts and add accountability while opponents, including many judges, warned it could. Weekend judicial independence. One political analyst

1:02notes a no-win with debt Malone's strong image at home and signals strength for the center left opposition. The reforms target big issues like separating career paths for judges and prosecutors so they can't switch roles and reshaping the high judicial. Council, by splitting it into three chambers was selections by lottery instead of elections. This echoes long running clashes between right-wing leaders and the courts. Whatever the outcome, it won't topple Malone's government, which runs through 2027, but a loss could hurt her standing in Europe where. She's seen as a steady force amid her ties to unpopular figures abroad. I stay glued as final votes roll in.