"I am aware that the presence of the President of the Republic for ordinary Council meetings is unusual. As far as I'm concerned, it has never happened in eleven years. I was driven to this decision by the need and desire to underscore, once again, the value of the CSM's constitutionally significant role." This was stated by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, attending this morning's CSM plenum. This surprising decision was marred by the controversy that has punctuated recent days, including that sparked by Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, who, echoing an old speech by anti-mafia magistrate Nino di Matteo, referred to the judiciary's self-governing body as a "para-mafia system." This prompted a strong reaction from the National Magistrates' Association (ANM).

"The Superior Council of the Judiciary," President Mattarella added in his address to the plenum, "is not free, in its functioning, from defects, gaps, and errors, and criticism is obviously not precluded. Just as, moreover, defects, gaps, and errors exist, and criticism is possible, regarding the activities of other institutions of the Republic, be they—he emphasized—the legislative, executive, or judicial branches."

A firm appeal "to the highest institutions," therefore, from the Head of State, who does not enter into the merits of the political issue but limits himself to asking for a tone down.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's speech against "a section of the politicized judiciary" that is blocking the majority's policies on matters such as immigration, had raised pre-referendum tensions to a new high.

(Unioneonline/vl)

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