Italy overhauls electoral system after fiercely contested debate

Italy's parliament has approved contentious changes to the country's electoral system ahead of elections scheduled for next year. The vote, which saw 227 lawmakers support the move to a fully proportional system, was led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Meloni argued that the new system would increase the likelihood of clear winners and more stable governments.

Opposition parties criticized the right-wing coalition, accusing it of attempting to maintain power and violating democratic principles. Meloni threatened to resign and call for early elections if the proposals were rejected, viewing the secret ballot as a test of her authority. The coalition she leads has overseen a rare period of political stability in Italy since her election in 2022; her government became the country's longest-serving since World War Two.

The reform will transition Italy from its current hybrid voting system, where about a third of members are chosen through first-past-the-post voting and the rest through proportional representation. Parties forming a coalition will need to submit their joint candidate for prime minister and their political platform before any general election.

A party or coalition securing the largest vote share, provided it exceeds 42%, will receive 105 additional seats in parliament – 70 in the lower house and 35 in the senate – potentially transforming narrow victories into more substantial majorities. Critics, including members of the center-left Democratic Party, argued that the government was imposing the new voting rules without regard for their impact.