Italy's lower house of parliament approved the first articles of a controversial electoral reform bill championed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in two confidence votes on Tuesday. The bill, which introduces a proportional system with a bonus for alliances winning over 42% of the vote, is expected to receive final approval on Thursday.
The passage of this electoral reform could significantly alter the dynamics of future Italian elections by potentially guaranteeing a parliamentary majority for winning alliances, thereby aiming to reduce government instability.
Italy's lower house of parliament on Tuesday approved the first articles of a fiercely contested electoral reform bill championed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The bill, which could be a factor in deciding an election due next year, passed its initial hurdles through two confidence votes.
The second vote was passed with 227 votes in favor, 149 against, and three abstentions, following a similarly comfortable margin in the first vote. Final approval of the package is expected on Thursday in a secret ballot. Meloni's government has tied confidence votes to the bill's articles, and she could resign if the bill is rejected.
The proposed reform introduces a fully proportional electoral system, with a seat bonus guaranteeing a parliamentary majority to any alliance winning more than 42% of the vote. Meloni's right-wing coalition faces an election by the end of next year, with speculation pointing to a possible vote in May 2027 to coincide with local elections in major cities.
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