Following final approval in the Senate, the constitutional reform introducing a separation of careers in the judiciary is moving toward a confirmatory referendum. Leaders of the governing majority have already begun collecting signatures to trigger the vote, expected between March and April 2026.

Under Article 138 of the Italian Constitution, a confirmatory referendum applies only to constitutional amendments and can be requested by one-fifth of the members of a chamber, 500,000 voters, or five regional councils. Unlike an abrogative referendum, it requires no turnout quorum — the reform takes effect only if the “Yes” side wins.

The bill fell short of the two-thirds majority in Parliament that would have prevented a referendum. It passed the Chamber of Deputies with 243 votes out of 400, and the Senate with 112 votes.

Justice Minister Carlo Nordio confirmed the government’s plan for a spring 2026 vote and said he welcomes an open debate with the National Magistrates Association (ANM): “It’s right that citizens decide on such an important issue,” he stated.

The center-right coalition — Brothers of Italy, Lega, Forza Italia, and Noi Moderati — will campaign for the reform, while the Democratic Party, Five Star Movement, and Green–Left Alliance have announced a “No” front, aligning with magistrates critical of the plan.

If held, this will be Italy’s fifth confirmatory constitutional referendum, following those in 2001, 2006, 2016, and 2020.