President Sergio Mattarella on Wednesday called on other institutions to respect the Supreme Council of Magistrates (CSM), as he took the unusual step of chairing an ordinary meeting of the judiciary’s self-governing body.
Although the head of state is formally president of the CSM, the role is largely ceremonial and does not normally involve participation in its day-to-day work.
The judiciary has become a central issue in the political debate ahead of a referendum next month on the government’s proposed constitutional reform. The reform would separate the career paths of judges and prosecutors, preventing them from moving between the two roles. It would also establish a new high court to discipline members of the judiciary and change the method of selection of CSM members d, introducing a draw system.
The magistrates’ union ANM and opposition parties strongly oppose the reform, arguing that it risks weakening judicial independence and could pave the way for prosecutors to fall under executive control.
Tensions between the government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and parts of the judiciary have intensified in recent weeks, with several public clashes ahead of the referendum.
“Constitutionally significant role of the CSM”
Addressing the council, Mattarella underlined “the constitutionally significant role of the CSM”. He also stressed “the need and intention to reaffirm the respect that must be nurtured and demonstrated, particularly by other institutions, towards this institution”. He added that respect must be mutual.
“As President of the Republic, I feel the need to firmly renew the call for mutual respect at any time, in any circumstance, in the interest of the Republic,” he said.
Mattarella acknowledged that his presence at an ordinary CSM meeting was exceptional. “As far as I’m concerned, this has never happened in eleven years,” he said. Mattarella added that his motivations was to underline the constitutional importance of the council.
