ROME, March ⁠22 (Reuters) - Italians began voting on Sunday in a referendum to ⁠confirm a contested judicial reform put forward by Prime Minister ‌Giorgia Meloni, a key test for her right-wing coalition ahead of a general election due next year. The vote ⁠comes ‌at the end of a heated campaign which pitted the Meloni-led 'yes' camp against centre-left opponents supporting the 'no'. Polls close at ⁠3 p.m. (1400 GMT) on Monday. Analysts say Meloni would likely receive a major boost ⁠from a 'yes' win, as she grapples with the fallout from the Iran war and a stagnant economy near the end of her mandate. A win for the centre-left -- still trailing Meloni's bloc in opinion polls -- ​would strengthen its efforts to build an alliance ⁠capable of challenging the prime minister.

Source: The Star March 22, 2026 09:30 UTC