Italy is facing a pivotal moment as citizens prepare to vote on March 22–23, 2026, in a referendum that could fundamentally reshape the judiciary by separating the professional paths of judges and prosecutors.

Separation of Careers

The core of the reform involves creating distinct professional paths for judges and prosecutors to ensure impartiality.

Political Divide

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and regional leaders support the 'Yes' vote, while constitutionalists and civic leaders warn of risks to institutional balance.

Referendum Dates

The national vote is scheduled for March 22–23, 2026, following three decades of debate on the issue.

The Italian judicial reform referendum, which includes the separation of careers for magistrates, will take place on March 22-23, 2026. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that the reform is designed for citizens and aims to guarantee their rights rather than to remove magistrates from their positions. Meloni noted that this specific change has been a subject of national debate for 30 years and is finally being implemented by the current administration. Lucia Albano, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, expressed support for a yes vote, arguing it would free magistrates from political influence. Alberto Cirio, the President of the Piedmont Region and Vice Secretary of Forza Italia, clarified that the outcome of the vote is not linked to the fate of the national government. „The judicial reform is for citizens, not to get rid of magistrates. We are not doing this to get rid of anyone, but to guarantee the rights of citizens” — Giorgia Meloni via ANSA

Opponents of the reform, led by constitutionalist Enrico Grosso, have warned that the proposed changes could put the lives of all citizens at risk. Grosso, who serves as the president of the No committee, argues against the restructuring of the judicial system. Father Luigi Ciotti, the founder of the anti-mafia organization Libera, described the proposal as a reform of the judiciary rather than a reform of justice itself. Marcello Chiorazzo, a political figure from Basilicata, advocated for a No vote to defend the existing balance of Italian institutions. Former magistrate Antonio Di Pietro also criticized the initiative, using a sports analogy to describe the relationship between different judicial roles under the new plan. „No one wants a match with the referee and player as relatives” — Antonio Di Pietro via ANSA

Massimiliano Fedriga, the President of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region and President of the Conference of Regions, expressed hope that the politicization of the referendum would end before the March vote. The debate has intensified as the date approaches, with government officials emphasizing the long-term necessity of the change. The Italian judicial system has historically allowed magistrates to transition between the roles of prosecutor and judge, a practice that critics argue compromises impartiality. Previous attempts to reform this structure have faced significant opposition from judicial associations and various political factions over several decades. The current proposal represents one of the most significant structural changes to the Italian judiciary since the 1948 Constitution. Lucia Albano reiterated that the reform aims to ensure a more neutral environment for legal proceedings. 30 (years) — duration of the debate over career separation Upcoming Referendum Dates: — ; —