Senate Moves Forward with Magistrate Career Separation Reform

Rome: The floor of the Senate on Thursday gave initial approval to the most controversial part of the government’s Constitutional reform of the judiciary to separate the career paths of prosecutors and judges so they can no longer switch between the two roles.

According to Ansa News Agency, the magistrates union ANM is staunchly opposed to the reform, saying it will weaken the judiciary and could place State attorneys under the executive’s control. The government argues that it is necessary to split prosecutors and judges into two separate professional groups, stating that them being part of the same body creates the risk of them having cosy relations, which could mean defendants do not get a fair trial.

The reform is likely to be put to a referendum because it is unlikely to garner the two-thirds support in both houses that would obviate the need for one in the case of a change to the Constitution.