Giorgia Meloni dealt setback in bad week for populist right

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Italians have voted against a proposal to shake up the judiciary. It is the first major setback for Giorgia Meloni, the prime minister, who presides over an unusually stable coalition. The technical nature of the changes, which critics say threatened judicial independence, meant the referendum became a de facto vote on Meloni’s record in office. She now looks weakened before a general election next year. The result is one of several setbacks for the European right this week. Centrists did better than expected in France’s local elections, suggesting voters remain unsure about the National Rally party. Meanwhile, in Slovenia, a liberal prime minister defeated his right-wing rival. Populists are still struggling to translate dissatisfaction into political gains.