Albanian Judges and Prosecutors Back Italian Magistrates After Referendum Rejection

by the Newsroom (Tirana)

The National Association of Judges and the Association of Prosecutors of the Republic of Albania have issued a joint statement regarding the proposed constitutional amendments to the justice system in Italy.

The associations emphasize that they commend the National Association of Magistrates of the Italian Republic, which, according to them, contributed to fostering an open debate on the protection of constitutional principles and values.

According to their statement, this demonstrated that a justice system aware of its mission actively and responsibly participates in democratic life, safeguarding the values upon which justice is built.

The reaction followed the recent referendum in Italy, where the proposals were rejected, with 58.5% voting “No.” Overall turnout reached 58.9%. Among young voters aged 18–28 (Generation Z), turnout was 67%, with a majority also voting “No” at 58.5%.

“The National Association of Judges of the Republic of Albania and the Association of Prosecutors of the Republic of Albania have followed with great interest the referendum process in the Italian Republic concerning the proposed constitutional amendments to the justice system.

Following the conclusion of the process and the official confirmation of the results, we express our appreciation and extend our congratulations to the National Association of Magistrates of the Italian Republic, which, through its active role and professional engagement, contributed to fostering an open debate for the protection of constitutional principles and values. The outcome of this referendum demonstrated clear support for the guarantor role of the rule of law, which can only be ensured by a justice system that possesses the necessary space to function efficiently and independently.

The Italian judiciary has consistently demonstrated maturity in facing its challenges, many of which have not been easy. Perhaps more than any other system in Europe, it has earned the independence it enjoys today, above all through the sacrifices made by those who gave their lives to the cause of establishing justice and the triumph of legality. The engagement of the National Association of Magistrates of the Italian Republic showed that a justice system conscious of its mission participates actively and responsibly in democratic life, defending the values upon which justice is built.

Such engagement simultaneously strengthens the relationship between the justice system and citizens, ensuring accountability and building public trust in judicial institutions. In our country as well, it is the duty of justice system bodies and of every magistrate in particular to increase citizens’ trust, just as it is the responsibility of citizens to place appropriate trust in the institutions of justice, which exist to serve them by protecting constitutional rights and freedoms from any excesses of other branches of power.

The justice system, despite any challenges it may face, constitutes the oxygen of citizens’ fundamental freedoms. The referendum process in Italy once again demonstrated that the independence of the justice system remains the cornerstone of any functional democratic system. In this context, our associations remain firmly committed and fully engaged in fulfilling this fundamental mission of guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, and the separation of powers, drawing on the best experiences of counterpart associations in neighboring countries,” the full statement reads.