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Italy’s Justice Referendum Enters Validation Phase as Rival Committees Mobilize

Judges at the Court of Cassation will verify the parliamentary petitions within a month ahead of a government‑targeted spring 2026 vote.

Overview

  • Parliamentary delegations from both the governing coalition and the opposition have deposited signatures to trigger a confirmatory referendum on the constitutional reform separating judges’ and prosecutors’ careers, with related changes including dual CSMs and a disciplinary court.
  • The confirmatory vote has no turnout quorum, and once the Cassation’s checks are completed the President will set the date on a proposal from the Council of Ministers.
  • Justice Minister Carlo Nordio indicates the government aims for a March–April 2026 timeline, framing the ballot as independent of the executive’s survival.
  • Campaign infrastructure is taking shape: Fondazione Luigi Einaudi’s “Sì Separa” and the Italian Criminal Lawyers’ union lead the Sì front, while the National Magistrates Association promotes a unified No committee; government parties shy from party‑branded Sì groups as Forza Italia backs local pro‑Sì committees without formal party labels.
  • Political lines are cross‑cutting: the centre‑right backs Sì, PD–M5S–Avs organize a No front, and prominent centre‑left figures including Augusto Barbera and Antonio Di Pietro support Sì, as prosecutor Nicola Gratteri emerges as a No figurehead despite past remarks favoring CSM sortition.