The two CSM? Even Europe asks us for it
The article discusses the European Union's longstanding calls for reforms in Italy's judicial system, particularly emphasizing the need for the separation of careers and greater independence of judges.
The article elaborates on the European Union's expectations regarding judicial reforms in Italy, particularly the necessary separation of career paths for judges and the need for judges to operate independently from political influence and prosecuting magistrates. Since the year 2000, a series of EU recommendations, named after prominent cities such as Bangalore and Venice, have highlighted the importance of initiating such reforms. Despite these repeated calls, the actual reform process has been slow and complex, initiated in 1989 with a shift to an accusatory system and partially completed in 1999 with the 'just process.' The call for reform is notably tied to a referendum scheduled for March 22 and 23, where Italians will vote on a new proposal signed by the center-right coalition.
Additionally, the piece mentions a recent statement by Italy's President Sergio Mattarella, highlighting the respect owed to the Consiglio Superiore della Magistratura (CSM), the governing body of the judiciary. This call has found consensus across political lines, but the article underscores a critical distinction between defending the independence of the judiciary as a principle and the actual political maneuvering that has historically hindered true reform. The past council, embroiled in a scandal, reflects the ongoing challenges of ensuring the integrity and autonomy of the judicial system in Italy, indicating that the discourse surrounding judicial reform is fraught with political implications and historical baggage.