Premier Giorgia Meloni voiced regret for a missed opportunity to modernise Italy after her government’s Constitutional reform of the country’s justice system was defeated in a referendum Sunday and Monday.

“Sovereignty belongs to the people, and Italians have expressed themselves clearly today,” she said.

“The government did what it promised, carrying out a justice reform that was written into our electoral platform.

“We supported it to the end and then we put the choice back to the citizens, and the citizens decided.

“And, as always, we respect their decision.

“There is clearly regret for a missed opportunity to modernize Italy, but this does not change our commitment to continue working with seriousness and determination for the good of the nation and to honor the mandate entrusted to us.

“We will move forward as we always have, with responsibility, determination, and above all, with respect for Italy and its people.” Meloni has always said a referendum defeat would not affect her government.

The centre-left opposition has said a defeat would break her aura of invincibility.