Italy’s conservative premier, Giorgia Meloni, faces a pivotal political test in a two-day referendum on judicial reform.

A maxi-trial opened Wednesday in southern Italy against the ndrangheta crime syndicate, arguably the world's richest criminal organization that quietly amassed power in Italy as the Sicilian Mafia lost its influence. (AP Photo/Andrea Rosa)LAMEZIA TERME – A trial with more than 320 defendants began Wednesday in southern Italy against the ‘ndrangheta crime syndicate, arguably the world's richest criminal organization that quietly amassed power as the Sicilian Mafia lost influence. The trial grew out of an investigation of 12 clans linked to a convicted ‘ndrangheta boss. The Lamezia Terme bunker is so vast that a score of video screens has been anchored to the ceiling so participants view the proceedings. Among those turning state’s evidence in the Lamezia Terme trial is a relative of Mancuso.