Italy's parliament has given final approval to a controversial overhaul of electoral law that critics say is aimed at boosting Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's chances of remaining in power at elections next year.
Meloni, who leads the far-right Brothers of Italy party, says the new system, which introduces a fully proportional model with bonus seats for any coalition that wins the most votes, will ensure greater political stability. Opposition parties argue that it mainly serves the interests of those in power.
Parliamentary vote and protests
The change was passed in a secret ballot in the lower house, with 227 MPs voting in favour and 164 against. Opposition politicians held up signs decrying the law as a "scam" and a "con" when the result was announced.
Opposition parties have vowed to challenge the changes in the constitutional court, arguing that the bonus seat element, which would be granted to any coalition that reaches a vote threshold of 42%, distorts voter representation.
Contentious requirements and coalition tensions
Another contentious requirement is that parties and alliances would have to lay out their government programme and name their candidate for prime minister well before a general election.
Meloni had made the vote a test for her ruling rightwing coalition, warning MPs from her allies, including Forza Italia and the League, that a defeat would plunge the government into crisis. Despite tensions within the coalition, which has suffered setbacks in recent months and faces competition from new far-right rival Roberto Vannacci, leader of Futuro Nazionale, it has shown unity. In early September, it became Italy's longest-serving government since the second world war. The broad leftwing alliance, led by the Democratic party, is highly fractious with no clear leader or programme.
Reactions and future prospects
Meloni said the victory was a response to those who wanted to see her coalition divided. "Today we respond with action: we are united, cohesive and determined to fulfil the commitments made to citizens," she wrote on social media.
Elly Schlein, the leader of the Democratic party, said Meloni's alliance sought to change the electoral system because it feared losing the next general election, which is officially due before October 2027 but could be brought forward to April or May. According to a recent survey by Ipsos Doxa, the opposition coalition could reach the 42% threshold if it overcame internal divisions and managed to convince two small radical parties to join forces.
