Referendum on separating career paths 'in spring 2026'

(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 26 - A referendum on a Constitutional reform to separate the career paths of judges and prosecutors so they can no longer switch between the two is more likely to take place in the spring of 2026, Lower House Constitutional Affairs Committee Chair Alberto Balboni said Wednesday.
    Balboni, a member of Premier Giorgia Meloni's rightwing Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, was answering a question on Minister for Relations with Parliament Luca Ciriani's (also FdI) assertion that the referendum could take place before the end of this year.
    "It seems a bit difficult to me, even if technically possible.
    More realistically I would indicate spring 2026 as probable," said Balboni.
    The reform makes changes to the Italian Constitution and thus requires a confermative referendum by the Italian people.
    It is opposed by Italian magistrates who say despite government assurances to the contrary that it is a step towards putting prosecutors under the control of the executive. (ANSA).