Italy’s Lower House has approved the government’s controversial judiciary reform, completing its third reading in parliament.
The bill passed on Thursday with 243 votes in favour and 109 against. It now returns to the Senate for its second and final reading.
The reform introduces the separation of career paths for judges and prosecutors, preventing them from switching between the two roles.
Premier Giorgia Meloni welcomed the result. “We are advancing on the path of justice reform,” she wrote on social media, calling it “a historic reform that has been awaited for years.”
The government argues the change will reduce risks of collusion between prosecutors and judges and improve fairness in trials.
The magistrates’ union ANM strongly opposes the bill, warning it could weaken judicial independence and place state attorneys under political control.
Because the judiciary reform did not secure two-thirds support in parliament, it will need to be put to a national referendum.
Tensions flared in the House after the vote, with MPs from rival blocs nearly clashing as ruling coalition lawmakers applauded the approval. The session was briefly suspended.
