Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has lost a key referendum on a constitutional reform which had turned into a vote on her government. The result gives around 54% to the No campaign and 46% to the Yes vote which Meloni had backed. In a video posted on social media, Meloni expressed that Italians had voted with clarity and she would respect their decision but regretted a lost chance to modernise the country. This is the first significant defeat for Meloni and her right-wing coalition, which has overseen a rare period of political stability for Italy. The opposition is hailing the result as a sign that voters are looking for change, with a general election due next year.

When the two-day referendum ended on Monday afternoon, exit polls indicated the No vote leading by a small margin, but that grew as counting progressed. Despite the complex question on the ballot, turnout was almost 60%. The government argued that the reform was crucial for improving judicial independence, but the opposition claimed it would upset the balance of powers established after fascism.

Meloni, a close ally of Donald Trump, is facing challenges as the economy stagnates and concerns rise over international conflicts, including the war in the Middle East. Though she vowed not to step down, her government is now viewed as less invulnerable, with the opposition's leader suggesting that Meloni's loss indicates that there may be an alternative to her leadership ahead of the next election.