The government’s constitutional judicial reform cleared its final hurdle in parliament on Thursday. The Senate approved the bill with 112 votes in favour, 59 against, and nine abstentions.
The judicial reform is a central part of Justice Minister Carlo Nordio’s agenda. It separates the career paths of prosecutors and judges, preventing them from switching between the two roles. The government says the measure will strengthen fairness by ensuring prosecutors and judges are part of distinct professional bodies.
Magistrates union ANM and opposition parties have strongly opposed the reform. They warn it could weaken judicial independence and increase executive influence over prosecutors.
Because the bill did not receive the two-thirds majority required in both houses, it will now be put to a public referendum.
Nordio, himself a former magistrate, said he is ready to debate the ANM on television to defend the reform.
A “No” committee was established immediately after the vote. In a statement, it said the Nordio bill “will affect the relationship between politics and the judiciary envisioned by the constituent assembly, while failing to address issues citizens care about, such as the excessive length of trials.”
The committee, calling itself “The Right to Say No,” pledged to campaign against the reform. It argues that “the independence and autonomy of the judiciary are founding values of our Republic, protecting everyone.”
The government maintains the judicial reform will not only ensure fairer trials but also reduce the influence of factions within what it sees as Italy’s highly politicised judiciary.
