Italy: Italy’s lower house of parliament gave final approval on Thursday, October 8, to a fiercely contested electoral reform championed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a measure that could play a key role in the outcome of next year’s national election.
In a secret ballot, lawmakers approved the bill by 227 votes to 164. The legislation introduces a fully proportional electoral system, with a seat bonus guaranteeing a parliamentary majority to any alliance that wins more than 42 per cent of the vote.
Under the previous rules, around two-thirds of lawmakers were elected through proportional representation, while the remainder were chosen in first-past-the-post constituencies, which analysts said may have favoured the opposition.
The reform prompted a heated parliamentary debate, with centre-left lawmakers accusing the government of flouting democracy by pushing through new voting rules ahead of an election against the opposition’s wishes.
Lawmakers from the ruling coalition defended the reform, saying it would expand voter choice through preferential voting and provide greater clarity over who would lead the government.
The final approval required four parliamentary votes and brought months of infighting within the coalition to an end. The dispute had raised questions about Meloni’s grip on her alliance ahead of next year’s election.
The tensions centred on a provision of the reform allowing voters to select their preferred candidates from party lists, reducing the power of party leaders to control which candidates are elected.
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A compromise was eventually reached under which candidates at the top of the lists are automatically given preference. This leaves party chiefs with the power to determine most of the candidates who enter parliament.
