Italian referendum sees justice reform rejected by voters

Italy has rejected the proposed constitutional reform of the justice system, with the No vote reaching 53.74% and the Yes stopping at 46.26%, according to results. Turnout was relatively high at 58.93%, signalling strong public engagement with the vote.

The Yes camp prevailed in only three northern regions — Lombardy, Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia — while the No vote dominated across the rest of the country, including major regions such as Campania, Sicily, Sardinia and Tuscany.

In large cities, the rejection was even more pronounced. The No vote won clearly in Rome, Milan and Turin, with particularly high margins in Naples, where it exceeded 75%.

Among Italians voting abroad, the trend was reversed, with the Yes leading overall. However, this was not enough to offset the domestic result.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni acknowledged the outcome, stating: “The Italians have decided. And we respect this decision. We will move forward, as we have always done, with responsibility, determination and respect for the Italian people and for Italy.” She added that there was regret for a missed opportunity to modernise the country but confirmed the government’s commitment to continue its work.

Opposition leader Elly Schlein described the vote as politically significant, saying: “A clear political message has arrived for Meloni and the government, which now must reflect and listen to the country and its real priorities.” She added that the result places responsibility on the opposition to organise a credible alternative.

Strong No vote and high turnout in Tuscany

Tuscany was among the regions that most clearly contributed to the national outcome, combining high turnout with a decisive rejection of the reform.

Participation reached 66.27%, the second-highest figure in Italy after Emilia-Romagna and slightly above the region’s turnout in the 2020 constitutional referendum. More than one million voters in Tuscany backed the No option, which obtained 58.16% of the vote.

The No vote prevailed in all ten Tuscan provinces and in every provincial capital, showing a consistent pattern across the region. Among major cities, Livorno recorded the highest share of No votes at over 67%, followed by Florence, where the No reached 66.57%.

Other provincial capitals such as Pisa, Pistoia and Siena also showed clear majorities against the reform. The margin was narrower in Arezzo and Grosseto, where the No vote remained just above 50%.

While the No camp dominated overall, the Yes vote performed better in some coastal and tourist municipalities, including Forte dei Marmi, Castiglione della Pescaia and Capalbio, as well as in Montecatini Terme.

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