Exit polls suggest Italy's Meloni has narrowly lost justice referendum vote

ROME, March 23 (Reuters) - Exit polls on Monday suggested Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had narrowly lost a referendum on her flagship reform of the judicial system, dealing a potential blow to the ruling coalition ahead of next year's general election.

Separate surveys by SWG and Opinio following the March 22-23 ballot said the opposition-backed "No" camp secured between 49% and 53% of the vote, compared to 47% to 51% for the government's "Yes" campaign. YouTrend pollsters also put "No" ahead.

Turnout was much higher than expected and followed an ill-tempered campaign that revealed a deep, mutual animosity between the right-wing coalition and Italy's judiciary, that will leave lasting scars.