Italian voters reject judicial reform in setback for Meloni

Italian voters rejected a judicial reform ballot measure championed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, dealing a significant political blow to her government. The referendum became a de facto confidence test on Meloni's leadership amid already-elevated political tensions, with public debate intensifying sharply in the final weeks before the vote. The defeat weakens Meloni's position on a key policy priority and demonstrates voter skepticism toward her administration's agenda. The outcome also underscores divisions within Italy's governing coalition over the direction of judicial changes. Such referendum losses typically constrain a prime minister's ability to pursue controversial reforms in the near term.