Italy's Meloni Faces Political Setback After Referendum Loss

Tue Mar 24 2026 09:17:31 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni experiences a significant defeat in a referendum aimed at constitutional reform, casting uncertainty over her government's future.

In a pivotal moment for Italian politics, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has suffered a critical defeat in a constitutional referendum, with the 'No' campaign securing around 54% of the vote. The referendum was perceived as a test of Meloni's leadership amidst concerns regarding her government's stability and effectiveness. As Italy prepares for upcoming general elections, opposition parties are seizing the opportunity to position themselves against Meloni's coalition, suggesting that voters are seeking change. Experts speculate on the implications of this defeat for Meloni's political ambitions and her standing within Italy's political landscape.

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has lost a key referendum on a constitutional reform which had turned into a vote on her government.

The result gives around 54% to the 'No' campaign and 46% to the 'Yes' vote which Meloni had backed.

In a video posted on social media even before all the ballots were counted, Meloni said Italians had voted 'with clarity' and she would respect their decision, but she regretted a 'lost chance to modernise' the country.

This is the first significant defeat for Meloni and her right-wing coalition, which has overseen a rare period of political stability for Italy. Opposition parties are hailing the result as a sign that voters are looking for change, with a general election due next year.

When the two-day referendum ended on Monday afternoon, exit polls initially showed the 'No' vote leading by a small margin, but that grew to a substantial lead as the count progressed.

Despite the complex question on the ballot paper, turnout was almost 60%. A high figure had been expected to favour the government, but it was not enough to swing the vote.

The reform voters rejected would have inscribed a firm separation between judges and prosecutors into the constitution, and proposed distinct bodies to govern them and a new disciplinary court. The government argued this change was critical to improving judicial independence, while the opposition countered that it would shatter a careful balance of powers.

Many Italians struggled to understand the technical details - possibly indicative of a communication failure by Team Meloni - and the vote quickly morphed into a plebiscite on her nearly record three and a half years in office.

Meloni is facing this setback during a challenging time; her close ally Donald Trump is increasingly unpopular in Italy, and the war in the Middle East raises concerns over energy costs amidst a stagnant economy.

However, Meloni has ruled out stepping down, stating that the vote was about justice rather than her personal leadership. The defeat has led to speculation about whether her government has lost its 'magic touch', with political figures emphasizing the need for Meloni to listen more closely to the electorate.

This loss has diminished Meloni's standing and left her government looking more vulnerable as opposition leaders express confidence that there is an alternative to her coalition ahead of the upcoming elections.