The Italian National Bar Council criticizes the National Association of Magistrates for allegedly politicizing the judicial environment during the constitutional reform referendum campaign.
The Italian National Bar Council (CNF) has expressed strong discontent regarding what its representatives perceive as a toxic atmosphere fostered by the Public Prosecutor's Offices. CNF president Francesco Greco condemned the political engagement of the National Association of Magistrates (ANM) and the anti-referendum committees established in courts ahead of the constitutional referendum on judicial reform, which proposes the separation of careers and a lottery system for the new Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSM). Greco emphasized that courts should be a place for discussing rights, not a platform for political rhetoric or referendum campaigns.
Greco's remarks highlight a clear contradiction in the judicial environment, where committees advocating against the reform are reportedly operating within courthouse premises, while similar advocacy for the reform has been stifled. This inconsistency raises serious concerns about the impartiality of the judiciary and the adherence to the principles of justice. The CNF's stance underscores the need for maintaining a clear boundary between politics and the legal profession, especially in sensitive contexts such as constitutional changes that directly affect the judiciary.
As Italy navigates this critical juncture in its judicial reform process, the ongoing dispute between legal practitioners and magistrates serves as a significant indicator of the tensions inherent in balancing judicial independence with political discourse. The outcome of this referendum could have profound implications for the structure of the judiciary in Italy, potentially altering the dynamics between magistrates and lawyers in a politically charged environment.
