Italy overhauls electoral system after fiercely contested debate
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says the move will deliver more stable government, but opposition parties say her aim is to stay in power.
Italy's parliament has approved changes to the country's electoral system, championed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, ahead of upcoming elections. The bill passed with a 227-164 vote, moving the nation to a fully proportional system. This change, Meloni argues, will increase the likelihood of clear winners and more stable governments.
Opposition parties claim the right-wing coalition designed these proposals to strengthen their chances of retaining power, accusing them of disregarding democracy. Meloni threatened to resign and call for early elections if the plans were rejected, viewing this as a test of her authority.
The new system will replace the current hybrid voting method, where about a third of members are chosen via a first-past-the-post system and the rest through proportional representation. Parties forming coalitions must submit their joint candidate for prime minister and political platform before any general election. A coalition or party securing over 42% of the votes will receive additional seats in parliament, potentially transforming a narrow win into a more robust majority.
Critics, including the Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein, argue the government is imposing these new voting rules. Tensions within Meloni's coalition were also exposed, with the Brothers of Italy (FdI) party and far-right League and center-right Forza Italia parties expressing disagreement. Despite these challenges, Meloni's coalition has overseen a rare period of political stability for Italy since her election in 2022. The government is now the country's longest-serving since World War Two.
Meloni vowed to introduce rules to promote stability and parliamentary coherence, regardless of political alignment. She emphasized that these changes are designed to benefit citizens. Following the vote, Meloni expressed her commitment to unity and cohesion, stating Italy is "introducing rules designed to promote the stability and parliamentary coherence of any government, regardless of its political color."
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