The Italian Chamber of Deputies has approved a landmark bill on the separation of judicial careers in a third reading vote, passing with 243 votes in favor and 109 against. While the absolute majority was sufficient to send the bill to the Senate for final deliberation, it fell short of the two-thirds majority (267 votes) required to block an upcoming referendum on the issue.
The session in the packed chamber was tense from the outset. The ruling majority erupted in loud applause following the vote, while the opposition, which had been challenging the government on its stance regarding Gaza, accused ministers present of excessive celebration. The situation escalated into a physical altercation when several opposition deputies approached the government benches to protest, leading to a fierce exchange of accusations and physical contact with members of the center-right that nearly turned into a brawl.
The ongoing crisis in the Middle East dominated the political debate throughout the day. Topics ranged from the interception of two containers of explosives bound for Haifa at the port of Ravenna to claims by deputies from the left-wing AVS party that Israel had revoked their travel visas. Into this heated atmosphere, League Party Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini inserted himself by stating that “Israel has every right to guarantee itself a peaceful future” and proclaiming himself its “best friend in Italy.”
In response, Democratic Party (PD) leader Elly Schlein launched a fierce attack on the executive, defending the critical stance toward Israel taken by some left-leaning local administrations. “Our administrations are doing what the government has not yet done, taking a clear position for sanctions against Netanyahu,” she stated. This was a reference to the municipalities of Rimini and Ravenna, and later in the day, the city of Rome raised the Palestinian flag atop the Capitoline Hill. The Rome city assembly also passed a motion condemning the Israeli military offensive in Gaza and calling on the Italian government to advocate for the respect of rights in international forums.
Following the vote on the judicial reform, the chamber’s focus shifted entirely to Gaza after a brief suspension. Left-wing deputies protested vehemently—with one, Riccardo Ricciardi of the Five Star Movement, shouting “You are accomplices!”—and again surrounded the government benches demanding answers on what they termed a “genocide.” This prompted a meeting with Chamber President Lorenzo Fontana. The Five Star Movement announced they had “occupied the chamber,” and both the PD and AVS declared they were “unavailable to resume proceedings without a communication from the government—preferably from Meloni—leading to a vote on Gaza.” Consequently, the assembly’s agenda, which included a vote on St. Francis Day, was postponed until the following week.
The controversy further escalated into a sharp war of words between the Five Star Movement and Forza Italia. Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani reported that government representatives had been threatened during the scuffles. Five Star deputy Leonardo Donno, in turn, accused Forza Italia group leader Paolo Barelli of threatening him, a claim Forza Italia members dismissed by labeling Five Star lawmakers “serial provocateurs.” The chamber’s presidency office will review footage to determine the exact sequence of events.
Despite the polemics, the government hailed the day as historic for its justice reform achievement. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated, “We will continue to work to give Italians an ever more efficient and transparent judicial system.” The Forza Italia leader noted that this “completes a journey begun thirty years ago with the battles for defendants’ rights led by President Berlusconi.” Matteo Salvini dedicated the result to “Enzo Tortora,” a wrongfully imprisoned TV presenter. Justice Minister Carlo Nordio joked, “For the record of those who believe I am dedicated to alcoholism, I will go celebrate this beautiful day with a spritz.”