Following the decisive defeat of Giorgia Meloni’s government in the constitutional referendum on justice reform, Giusi Bartolozzi, Chief of Staff to Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, and Andrea Delmastro Delle Vedove, Undersecretary of Justice, have tendered their resignations. Both officials were embroiled in controversies that many analysts say undermined the government’s campaign for a Yes vote. Bartolozzi faced heavy criticism after describing the judiciary as “a firing squad that must be eliminated,” a remark that sparked public outrage and forced her to issue a formal apology.
She is also under investigation for allegedly providing false information regarding the arrest and subsequent release of a Libyan general wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against migrants. These controversies were seen as damaging the public perception of the reform, which proposed splitting the careers of judges and prosecutors, dividing the High Council of the Judiciary into two, and establishing a disciplinary court.
Delmastro, meanwhile, came under fire for entering into a business partnership at a Rome restaurant with the 18-year-old daughter of Mauro Caroccia, a convicted leader of the Neapolitan Camorra. While asserting he committed no legal wrongdoing, Delmastro deemed it appropriate to resign, taking “responsibility for a reckless act corrected as soon as I became aware of it,” emphasizing his respect for the government and the Prime Minister. The referendum loss represented a significant setback for Meloni, marking her first major challenge after more than three years of largely stable and popular governance.
Observers noted that many voters overlooked the technical details of the reform, focusing instead on the Prime Minister herself, who attempted to engage young voters through media appearances and stark warnings about migrant crime and public safety. Despite the referendum defeat, the government signaled plans to pursue other controversial reforms, including changes to Italy’s electoral law aimed at securing a stable majority for the next general election, currently scheduled for September 2027.
Justice Minister Nordio is also expected to submit a bill that would make prosecutions non-compulsory upon receiving notice of a crime, in accordance with constitutional provisions. The resignations of Bartolozzi and Delmastro mark a delicate phase for the government, which now faces the challenge of restoring credibility and public confidence ahead of forthcoming political battles.
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