00:00Well, this referendum is about judicial reforms, and if it is passed, it will be the biggest overhaul of the
00:05judiciary since World War II.
00:08And it's quite complex and technical, but in essence, really, it's about consolidating the separation of career paths of judges
00:16and public prosecutors,
00:17as well as splitting the judicial self-governing body into two separate entities.
00:22And the makeup of these entities will also be changed according to these reforms.
00:27Now, Maloney and her right-wing government have said, as you put it, that this is essential to make the
00:34judiciary more independent.
00:36And she has said that it will weed out what she refers to as left-wing political factions within the
00:45judiciary
00:45that she often blames for trying to undermine her policies, such as policies on immigration.
00:52Now, those opposing the reforms, the critics, those on the centre-left in this country, as well as some magistrates
00:59themselves,
01:00they say that the impact will be exactly the opposite, that it will undermine judicial independence
01:06and actually will result in more political interference.
01:10So, really, in the lead-up to this referendum, which people will be voting at polling stations like this throughout
01:16the country today until Monday at 3pm,
01:19in the lead-up to this, there's been a heated campaign that really has sharpened and deepened political divisions.
01:27Ms Maloney has been appearing on podcasts as well as on local television stations and media,
01:33pushing her ideas through, and in one particular instance, she actually said that if this reform is not passed,
01:40it will result in more immigrants, rapists, paedophiles and drug dealers being freed,
01:45and it will impact the security in the country.
01:48Now, critics have said and have reacted to those kinds of statements,
01:52saying that it really is just all about fear-mongering.
01:55Now, for the meantime, in terms of the actual vote, it's a simple majority required,
02:01no quorum is required in terms of the number of people that actually can vote,
02:04and according to the last published polls two weeks ago, really both camps are neck and neck.
02:10Now, Seema, as you were mentioning there with this backdrop of rather heated rhetoric,
02:15it seems the vote is also being seen as a high-stakes test for the Prime Minister.
02:20Why is that?
02:23Well, essentially also because it's quite a technical issue,
02:27and so in the end it's been divided into those that support Ms Maloney and those on the other side.
02:33And really, so far for the last three and a half years,
02:36she really has projected an image of stability, which is quite rare in Italian politics,
02:41and she prides herself on that.
02:42So if she loses this vote, it will be a blow to her,
02:46and it will be also a chance for the centre-left perhaps to consolidate themselves
02:50and to present themselves as an alternative to Ms Maloney.
02:54What also doesn't help is the timing of the referendum, if you like.
02:57This is coming as she's trying to deal with a stagnant economy,
03:00as well as dealing with the fallout of the war in Iran
03:04and the rising oil and gas prices here, which have frustrated Italians.
03:08So it will be interesting to see what comes out of this.
03:11But she herself has said she's not stepping down if the no vote wins,
03:16but it definitely is being seen by many analysts.
03:19If that wins, it could be a blow to her.
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