What was supposed to be a confirmatory referendum for a reform of the Italian judiciary has been transformed, for the opposition, into a simple political vote against the government.
The opposition leaders themselves confirm this, starting with the five-star leader Giuseppe Conte. “The political signal is strong, very strongThe secretary of the Democratic Party follows him closely, Elly Schleinaccording to which “a clear political message arrives to Meloni and the governmentwho now have to reflect, they have to listen to the country and the real priorities.”
The results
Once the ballot was concluded, the 53.75% of voters rejected the reformwhile those in favor did not exceed 46.25% of voters. The final turnout stood at 58.93% of those entitled to vote, the highest percentage for a two-day referendum since 1995.
Italy divided along the north-south axis…
The vote saw Italy strongly divided geographically. The only regions where the “Yes” won were Lombardy (53.6%), Veneto (58.4%) e Friuli (54.5%). Excluding the very narrow result of Trentino-Alto Adige (where the “No” won with 50.4%), the rest of Italy (except the red regions of Tuscany, Liguria and Emilia-Romagna) saw the opponents of the reform win with results similar to the national figure (approximately 54%).
The exception is Southern Italy, where one gets the clear impression that the opponents of the reform (or of the government?) mostly went to vote. In Campania 65.5% of voters voted “No”, as did 61% in Sicily and 57% in Puglia and Calabria.
The turnout data in these regions speaks for itself. 46% of those entitled in Sicily, 48% in Calabria, 50% in Campania and 52% in Puglia, or, in order, the worst national results.
…And young-elderly
The other data to record is the deep generational divide. According to the Opinio per Rai Exit Poll, in the 18-34 age group the “No” triumphed with 61%.
The percentage decreases as age increases. In the age group between 35 and 54, 53.5% of voters voted “No”, while among the over 55s it was “Yes” that triumphed with 50.7%.
Comments from the government
However you look at it, for the government it is about an undoubted setback. However, not enough to jeopardize the continuation of the legislation. As the Prime Minister’s words seem to indicate Giorgia Meloni.
“The Italians have decided. And we respect this decision”, says the prime minister, who however is keen to remove any doubts regarding resignation: “We’ll move forwardas we have always done, with responsibility, determination and respect towards the Italian people and towards Italy”.
Similar words also pronounced by the Keeper of the Seals Carlo Nordio: “I respectfully note the decision of the sovereign people. Our intention was to definitively implement the project conceived by Giuliano Vassalli with the accusatory process and consecrated by article 111 of the Constitution which defines the third and impartial judge”.
However, he specifies: “It is not our intention to attribute a political meaning to this vote or not”, concludes the minister, a statement which however does not seem to be shared by his political rivals.
The left celebrates
In fact, immediately after their statements, Conte and Schlein went to Piazza Barberini, in Rome, where at the end of the count the refined constitutionalists had gathered (forgive us the irony) of the “No” frontwho demonstrated their joy at the rejection of the justice reform with CGIL flags and banners praising the resistance (the connection with the reform is not clear), together with the inevitable rainbow flags.
Among those celebrating were also the magistrates gathered in the ANM room of the Naples courtwho just to give further confirmation of the problem relating to the politicization of the judiciary in Italy toasted the result of the referendum by singing “Hello beautiful”.
A problem which, however, will persist for many years to come. The left has managed to mobilize its electorate and transform the vote into a simple refusal against the government.
