Meloni Hits a Sudden Hurdle on Way to Re-Election Campaign

Giorgia Meloni and her allies were upbeat in the runup to a referendum to overhaul the justice system that they expected would reaffirm their power a year ahead of a national election.

The prime minister had entered the campaign personally in its latter stages, doing podcast and media hits in the days before the balloting. The gist of her message: Vote for a reform of the judiciary to make it fairer now. And, if you must, vote against me at the next general election.