Anti-war protests in Italy and Spain as high-stakes referendum on Italian judges looms

Thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets of Rome on Saturday to protest against ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and controversial judicial reforms proposed by Italy’s right-wing government. The dual-focus demonstration highlights growing political tensions in Italy as the country approaches a crucial referendum that could reshape its judicial system.

The March 22-23 referendum has emerged as a significant political challenge for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, whose conservative coalition faces national elections next year. What began as a debate over judicial efficiency has evolved into a broader political confrontation between Meloni’s government and opposition forces.

Protesters in central Rome displayed red trade union banners alongside Palestinian and Cuban flags, with many chanting “Meloni government, resign” throughout the peaceful demonstration.

“The United States and Israel are destroying any form of coexistence dictated by international law,” said Sandra Paganini, one of the demonstrators. “They are dragging us towards a world war in which they are targeting completely innocent people who have done nothing wrong, intervening and destroying nations.”

The judicial reforms at the center of the referendum have been championed by Meloni as necessary measures to address Italy’s notoriously slow court proceedings and restore public faith in the legal system. Italy has long struggled with judicial inefficiency, with cases often taking years to resolve, creating significant economic and social costs.

“If justice doesn’t work, if it’s slow, if it’s inefficient, if it’s unfair, then the whole machine gets stuck and everyone pays the consequences,” Meloni said during a campaign speech in Milan on Thursday, emphasizing the practical impacts of court delays on citizens and businesses.

Critics, however, argue that the proposed changes could undermine judicial independence and potentially subject judges to political influence. Opposition parties have framed the referendum as a crucial moment for preserving the separation of powers in the Italian democracy.

The referendum has increasingly taken on symbolic importance beyond its technical aspects. Meloni, who leads the post-fascist Brothers of Italy party and came to power in 2022, has personally joined the campaign trail this week, indicating the high political stakes of the vote.

Saturday’s protests in Rome also reflected growing public concern across Europe about the escalating conflicts in the Middle East. Anti-war demonstrations have intensified since February 28, when large-scale U.S. and Israeli airstrikes targeted military sites and senior leaders in Iran, prompting retaliatory strikes that have contributed to regional instability and affected global markets.

The Rome protests were not isolated events. Similar demonstrations took place across Spain on Saturday, with rallies organized in dozens of cities by a coalition of civic groups calling for an end to Middle East hostilities. In Madrid, thousands gathered to chant anti-war slogans and express solidarity with civilians caught in the conflict.

Earlier in the week, Athens and other Greek cities also saw significant anti-war demonstrations, reflecting a wave of public concern spreading throughout southern Europe.

The convergence of domestic political tensions and international concerns in Saturday’s protests underscores the interconnected nature of today’s political landscape. For Meloni, who has positioned herself as a moderate conservative on the European stage despite her party’s far-right roots, both the referendum and her handling of foreign policy issues represent critical tests ahead of next year’s elections.

As Italy approaches the March referendum, the demonstrations signal that the vote may become a broader referendum on Meloni’s government itself, rather than simply a decision on judicial reform.