Exit polls show narrow 'No' lead in Italian judicial reform referendum
Mar 23rd 2026 · Italy
Three instant polls put the No campaign ahead as turnout nears 58.5%; a confirmed No would halt Giorgia Meloni’s planned reforms of judicial recruitment and governance and pose a major domestic political setback.
- Instant exit polls for Rai, La7 and Sky put the No camp ahead by about 2 to 4 percentage points, but official counts are still pending.
- Turnout reached roughly 58.5%, higher than pre-ballot forecasts of low participation.
- A No result would block proposed constitutional changes to how judges and prosecutors are recruited, governed and disciplined.
- If confirmed, the outcome would be a political setback for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and could complicate her plans for an electoral law ahead of next year’s general election.
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