Sabino Cassese, a former minister and constitutional judge, has shared his insights on the Justice referendum set for March 22-23 in Italy. He holds substantial authority in legal matters and examines the positive effects introduced by the Nordio Law within the justice system. Cassese urges voters to separate their opinions about the government from the content of the referendum questions, arguing that doing otherwise undermines the essence of direct democracy in Italy.

He expresses concern that public discourse surrounding the referendum has shifted to focus on the government that proposed the changes, rather than engaging critically with the questions at hand. According to Cassesse, when the electorate reacts to a proposal based on their likeliness or dislikeness towards the government, it dilutes the purpose of a referendum, which is meant to gauge public sentiment about specific legal provisions, not political preferences. This shift, he argues, risks transforming direct democracy into a representative one, further straying from the constitutional intentions of the referendum process.

Cassese calls for a reevaluation of how the referendum is being debated and emphasizes the importance of informed participation. He believes that the vitality of democratic engagement hinges on citizens addressing the merits of each referendum question individually, rather than allowing their opinions on the government to cloud their judgment. The implications of this referendum could shape Italy’s justice system for years to come, making it crucial for voters to deliberate on the substantive issues presented rather than the political landscape surrounding them.