ROME — Italy's parliament has given final approval to a sweeping overhaul of the nation's voting framework, culminating a contentious legislative battle that tested the durability of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's administration. Lawmakers passed the legislation by a margin of 227 to 164 following a stormy debate.
Prime Minister Meloni championed the reforms, arguing they are essential for ensuring long-term governmental continuity and definitive election outcomes. Her administration has achieved an unusual degree of political longevity since taking office in 2022, recently marking the longest continuous tenure of any Italian government since the conclusion of the Second World War.
Under the newly adopted rules, Italy will transition away from its previous hybrid voting mechanism, which blended single-member districts with proportional seats. The updated framework introduces a fully proportional system paired with a notable majority bonus.
Any political party or alliance that secures the largest share of the national ballot — provided that share surpasses 42% — will receive a substantial allocation of extra seats divided between the lower house and the senate. This bonus is intended to help a leading coalition transform a tight race into a secure working majority.
Additionally, the legislation mandates that electoral alliances must formally declare their joint candidate for prime minister and publish a unified platform prior to general voting. Ahead of the legislative showdown, Meloni had staked her authority on the outcome, warning that a defeat of the measures could prompt her resignation and trigger early elections.
Political opponents fiercely condemned the push, characterizing the new rules as an undemocratic maneuver engineered to secure the right-wing coalition's grip on power. Centre-left factions argued that the government was railroading the alterations through parliament to rig future contests.
Elly Schlein, leader of the Democratic Party, dismissed the changes during Thursday's parliamentary session, expressing confidence that her side would prevail regardless of the voting structure. Despite public opposition and subtle friction among the factions comprising the ruling coalition, political analysts anticipated the bill's passage. Many parliamentarians were motivated to avoid a premature dissolution of the legislature, which would have jeopardized their eligibility for parliamentary pensions ahead of scheduled elections next year.
Following the vote, Meloni took to social media to project strength and unity within her administration, which includes her Brothers of Italy party alongside the League and Forza Italia. She maintained that the updated electoral regulations are designed to foster durability and institutional coherence for future governments regardless of their ideological alignment.
While the current legislative term concludes in October 2027, speculation remains regarding whether the prime minister might choose to advance the electoral timeline to the spring.
Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC News. Read the original report at BBC News.
