The Italian Senate passed a constitutional reform introducing the separation of judicial careers with 106 votes in favor, 61 against, and 11 abstentions. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed the outcome with satisfaction, while coalition partner Forza Italia dedicated the victory to Silvio Berlusconi, who first championed the measure. Opposition parties uniformly condemned the reform and are preparing for a referendum expected next spring.
The chamber approved the bill as amended by the Lower House, meaning the anticipated autumn confirmatory vote cannot alter its content. Despite intense clashes between the ruling coalition and judicial associations, the Senate session proceeded with relative calm. Justice Minister Carlo Nordio and Minister for Parliamentary Relations Luca Ciriani attended, joined later by Deputy Minister Francesco Paolo Sisto and Forza Italia ministers including Antonio Tajani.
Opposition protests were muted compared to previous occasions—though PD senators displayed an inverted Constitution and Five Star Movement lawmakers held images of anti-mafia judges Falcone and Borsellino contrasted with Berlusconi and P2 lodge leader Licio Gelli. Meloni declared the vote “an important step” toward a “more efficient, fair, and transparent judiciary,” while Nordio called it “a giant leap” toward judicial independence and a truly adversarial legal system.
Forza Italia claimed the reform as Berlusconi’s legacy, with Tajani calling it “a great dream of freedom, security, and citizen safeguards.” League senator Erica Stefani insisted the reform “is not against the judiciary.”
Opposition leaders vehemently disagreed. Five Star’s Giuseppe Conte alleged it “fulfills the designs of Licio Gelli,” while PD senator Roberto Scarpinato denounced it as “the powerful caste’s vendetta against the judiciary.” Green-Left alliance leader Peppe De Cristofaro warned it subjugates the judiciary to politics, a view echoed by the PD. Former PM Matteo Renzi criticized Nordio over an unrelated case. Only Carlo Calenda (Action) broke ranks to support the bill, though his party abstained.
The National Magistrates Association (ANM) condemned the reform, arguing it “tames judges” and strips citizen protections, vowing protests until the referendum. While the government expressed confidence in the public vote, PD’s Dario Franceschini predicted it would backfire like the “Papeete scandal,” forcing Meloni’s resignation.
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