Italy’s Meloni passes key test as MPs approve electoral changes

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government secured a crucial victory as parliamentary lawmakers approved a significant overhaul of the nation's electoral law. This reform, which has drawn criticism from opposition parties, is designed to bolster Meloni's hard-right government's prospects in the upcoming elections scheduled for later in 2027.

The new electoral system introduces a fully proportional representation, guaranteeing a parliamentary majority to any coalition that secures more than 42% of the vote. This change was met with approval from Meloni, who stated that the reform would bring about greater political stability, continuity, accountability, and the ability to provide concrete answers to Italian citizens.

The changes also mandate parties and coalitions to outline their governing platform and designate their candidate for prime minister prior to elections. Giovanni Donzelli, a senior lawmaker with Meloni's Brothers of Italy party, hailed the electoral law as a "revolution," emphasizing that it would give Italian voters real influence in the political process by allowing them to choose the coalition, platform, and prime ministerial candidate.

However, Giuseppe Conte, the former prime minister and leader of the opposition Five Stars Movement (M5S), dismissed the new law as a "mess" and a "convoluted scheme" designed to give Meloni's government an advantage in the upcoming elections. Neither the right-wing nor the left are expected to achieve an outright parliamentary majority, meaning that an alliance would be necessary to form a government. An alliance winning over 42% of the vote would gain 70 additional seats in the lower house and 35 in the Senate.

The reform has not been without its challenges. Meloni's coalition has been facing internal strife, with support waning to former army general Roberto Vannacci and his National Future (FN) party. Despite her efforts, Meloni has not yet ruled out an alliance with Vannacci, who currently leads the FN party and has been polling ahead of both Meloni's allies, the anti-immigrant League and center-right Forza Italia.

A recent survey by Ipsos Doxa suggests that the center-left coalition could surpass the 42% threshold, provided they overcome internal divisions and persuade two small radical parties to join forces. Meloni's term officially concludes in October 2027, but she has the option to bring the election forward to April or May. Opposition parties have already pledged to contest the new electoral law in court prior to the election.