Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Italy Sets March 22–23 Vote on Justice Reform Referendum

Opponents prepare urgent court challenges, with a citizen petition nearing a Jan. 30 signature deadline.

Overview

  • The Council of Ministers approved the referendum dates, with the formal presidential decree now awaited.
  • Voting will coincide with parliamentary by-elections to fill two vacant Chamber seats in Veneto.
  • The government cites law 352/1970 and a Cassation ordinance admitting a parliamentary request to justify calling the vote now, a reading contested by critics.
  • ‘No’ committees are readying an appeal to the Lazio administrative court seeking urgent suspension, and the Quirinale has signaled no objection to the date while warning of a possible legal quagmire.
  • The reform separates the careers of judges and prosecutors, creates two CSMs and an Alta Corte disciplinare, and the confirmatory referendum has no turnout quorum.