Referendum: Italy says NO!
Italy says NO! A first, burning defeat for the Meloni’s government.
Italian citizens were called to the polls on 22–23 March to vote on a referendum to reshape the judiciary, widely seen as an attempt to limit the independence and public role of judges and prosecutors.
For decades, the Italian right – from Silvio Berlusconi to Giorgia Meloni – has viewed the judiciary as a political obstacle. Anti-corruption investigations made magistrates powerful public actors, capable of exposing and constraining political power. Weakening that role has long been a strategic objective.
The result: a clear defeat.
Turnout reached around 60% – the highest in years, driven strongly by younger voters.
“No” won with over 54%, dominating all major cities and most of central and southern Italy. Only three northern regions, aligned with the Lega, returned a majority for “Yes.”
With this result, Italy not only rejects a political power grab but reaffirms its commitment to defending the anti-fascist Constitution.
press release: long live antifascist italy
Long live antifascist Italy which, through an extraordinary miracle of popular participation, has once again saved the Constitution born from the Resistance.
Now let us unite to send Giorgia Meloni home and prevent the right from causing further damage.
The “NO” vote has won against the attempt to call into question the autonomy of the judiciary, a cornerstone of our constitutional democracy.
This is a vote against corruption, the mafias, racist demagoguery, and punitive populism.
It is time to put an end to attempts to distort the Constitution.
Defeated are Giorgia Meloni and the heirs of Giorgio Almirante, Licio Gelli, and Silvio Berlusconi.
Both rights have been defeated: the far-right “Lega-style” bloc and the Berlusconian one, as well as the current that for too long has hegemonized the centre-left.
It is possible to win without Carlo Calenda, Pina Picierno, Marco Minniti, and all those who tried to pass themselves off as the left in support of “YES,” along with Il Foglio and Corriere della Sera.
We are facing the failure of Giorgia Meloni, the main vassal of Donald Trump in Europe, who has addressed none of the problems of the Italian people but has instead served the usual groups of power and privilege.
The striking result shows that implementing the Constitution is the basis on which to build a united front capable of defeating the right in the next general elections.
Many young people contributed to this victory after protesting against complicity in genocide.
We call on all defenders of the Constitution to take part on Saturday, March 28 in Rome in the national “NO KINGS” demonstration against rearmament and war, which will take place simultaneously with events in the United States and other European capitals.
Maurizio Acerbo, National Secretary of the Party of Communist Refoundation – European Left.
