Meloni Backed Referendum Seems to be Going Down in Flames [View all]

[Prairie Gates]

For the last year, political news in Italy has centered around a right-wing backed referendum that would change the way the Italian judiciary works, putting judges and prosecutors under special legislative and administrative control. In essence, this would strip judges and prosecutors of their independence and allow complete consolidation of the government functions under the right wing, which currently controls the legislature and administration.

Giorgia Meloni has heavily backed this referendum on the Si (Yes) side, while the center left and left parties have strongly opposed it (No). The vote, by all accounts, is supposed to be razor thin - and the New York Times was calling it too close to call as recently as this morning. However, as results filter in, the No vote is currently trouncing the Si vote, 54 - 46, with over half of the vote cast. It's not clear whether these results will hold up, or center-left areas are being counted first, and the vote really is splitting along party lines (in the order of 90-10 based on party affiliation). Exit polls continue to show the vote being close. But the results are a shockwave at this point.

The youth vote is 61% No at this point.

If - and it's a big if - the referendum goes on to defeat by these numbers, Meloni is in real trouble. She has pledged not to resign, but a 54-46 vote on the referendum that she has championed for a year would be un disastro for the Italian right.