Italy finally approves Meloni’s controversial electoral law
The reform gives a winning coalition extra seats from 42 per cent, but could still end up before the courts.
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Italy’s parliament on Thursday definitively approved Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s controversial electoral reform. The opposition fears the new rules favour the governing coalition and is announcing a legal battle.
The Chamber of Deputies approved the law in a secret ballot by 227 votes to 164. With the Senate having already approved it, the reform has now completed its passage through parliament. Meloni had made the vote a matter of confidence and previously warned that a defeat could trigger a government crisis.
The core of the new system is a majority bonus. Under the new rules, a coalition that wins at least 42 per cent of the vote in a nationwide election receives 70 additional seats in the Chamber and 35 in the Senate. A relatively small lead among voters could therefore result in a sizeable parliamentary majority.
Meloni defends the measure as a way of governing more stably. Her government points out that Italy has experienced many changes of government since the Second World War and says voters should have a clearer idea in advance of which coalition can govern. The reform is to apply at the next parliamentary election, which must take place by 2027 at the latest.
The left-wing opposition sees it instead as a power grab. It argues that the governing coalition is changing the rules ahead of an election to improve its own chances. Critics also fear that the bonus will make the number of seats no longer correspond proportionally to the number of votes cast.
Parliamentary approval is therefore not necessarily the final word. Opposition parties intend to challenge the law before Italy’s Constitutional Court. The question before it will be whether the seat bonus distorts the relationship between votes and seats too heavily. Until there is clarity on that point, it also remains uncertain exactly what the system will look like at the next election.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The Chamber of Deputies approved the reform by 227 votes to 164.
- A winning coalition receives additional seats in both chambers from 42 per cent of the vote.
- The reform has been approved by parliament, but legal scrutiny may still follow.
Left
Arguments An electoral system should reflect voting patterns as accurately as possible. From this perspective, a large seat bonus at 42 per cent could give a government a majority without a majority of voters.
Values Political equality, representation and protection of constitutional checks and balances.
Consequences Supporters fear a concentration of power, less room for the opposition and a parliament that distorts the election result too heavily.
Centre
Arguments Italy needs governmental stability, but the bonus must remain proportionate and legally sustainable. A compromise could consist of a limited bonus and clear safeguards.
Values Governability, the rule of law and institutional continuity.
Consequences A sustainable system could limit changes of government without undermining confidence in elections.
Right
Arguments Voters should know in advance which coalition can actually govern. A clear bonus for the winner prevents lengthy negotiations and makes the cabinet accountable for its programme.
Values Stability, democratic effectiveness and the winner’s responsibility.
Consequences Stronger government can implement policy more quickly, even if that means less room for small parties.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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The core facts have been confirmed by AP, Tagesschau and Italian parliamentary sources. Legal consequences are described as a possibility, not an established result.
- confirmed Italy’s Chamber of Deputies approved the reform by 227 votes to 164. — AP News and Tagesschau report the same result. source
- confirmed The reform grants a seat bonus at 42 per cent or more of the vote. — Tagesschau describes the threshold and bonus. source
- confirmed The bonus amounts to 70 seats in the Chamber and 35 in the Senate. — The same Tagesschau source gives both figures. source
- confirmed The opposition intends to challenge the reform in court. — AP and Tagesschau report the expected constitutional battle. source
- confirmed The next parliamentary election must take place by 2027 at the latest. — Tagesschau links the reform to the 2027 parliamentary election. source
Editor's note
The result, the 42 per cent threshold and the seat bonus are certain. It is uncertain whether the Constitutional Court will later block the law in whole or in part.Sources
- Italy’s parliament gives final approval to Meloni’s electoral reform — AP News
- Reform von Meloni: Italiens Parlament billigt umstrittenes Wahlrecht — Tagesschau
- Comunicati di seduta — Senato della Repubblica
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