Italy's Meloni secures final approval for contested electoral reform
EWI•Italy's lower house approved Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's electoral reform by 227 votes to 164. The bill creates a fully proportional system and guarantees a parliamentary majority to any alliance winning more than 42% of the vote.
1. Reform approved
Italy's lower house of parliament gave final approval to the contested electoral reform championed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. In a secret ballot, lawmakers voted 227 to 164 for a fully proportional system with a seat bonus for any alliance winning more than 42% of the vote.
2. Coalition compromise
Meloni says the rules are intended to increase the prospect of stable government, while the centre-left opposition says they are meant to boost her chances of staying in power. The reform followed months of coalition infighting over candidate selection; a compromise gives preference to candidates at the top of party lists, preserving party leaders' power over most lawmakers elected.
