Italians headed to the polls this Sunday in an important referendum on the future of the judicial system, an initiative proposed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
This vote is seen as a key test for her government, ahead of next year's general elections.
Citizens are deciding whether to approve constitutional changes that would separate the careers of judges and prosecutors and split the self-governing body of justice into two separate structures. This issue has long been a source of intense debate in Italian politics.
The referendum comes after a heated political campaign. The "yes" camp, led by the government, faces strong opposition from the center-left opposition, including the Democratic Party and the 5 Star Movement.
The opposition warns that the reform could undermine the independence of the judiciary and increase political influence over justice. According to them, the changes could give the government more control over the judicial system.
On the other hand, the government rejects these accusations, arguing that the reform is necessary to combat politicization within the system and to avoid the scandals that have accompanied the appointments of top prosecutors.
Analysts estimate that a victory for the "yes" camp would give a strong political boost to Giorgia Meloni, while a result in favor of the "no" would strengthen the opposition and its efforts to create a united front against the government.
Polling stations will remain open until Monday afternoon, with the results expected to determine the country's political direction in the coming months.
