Italy's coalition vows to pursue election law reform after setback

Under the current electoral system, about one third of lawmakers are elected via first-past-the-post constituencies, with the rest elected by proportional representation via lists drawn up by party leaderships.

Meloni's proposal would have allowed parties to retain considerable influence over the selection of elected candidates. The new law would also reward parties that can form pre-election pacts, which her coalition did to great effect in the 2022 vote.

According to a simulation by pollster YouTrend, candidates from smaller parties such as Forza Italia and the League would be less likely to secure election under a system with preference voting.

The opposition has criticised the electoral reform as an attempt by Meloni to boost her re-election chances, since the first-past-the-post system she is seeking to abolish tends to favour the centre-left bloc.