Meloni's electoral reform bill wins large majority in Italian Senate

The Italian Senate approved the controversial electoral reform bill proposed by right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday by a vote of 113 to 71, bringing her three-party coalition one step closer to implementing changes that the opposition describes as unfair.

A vote in the Chamber of Deputies, a necessary step in the legislative process, is likely to take place on September 28. Italy’s next parliamentary elections are expected to be held in 2027.

The largely controversial reform stipulates that parties running together will receive a type of majority bonus if they secure at least 42% of the vote in parliamentary elections. It will maintain proportional representation in Italy.

However, a coalition that obtains more than 42% of the vote will receive an additional 70 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and 35 additional seats in the Senate. This will grant the winning party a workable governing majority even if it receives less than 50% of the vote. Consequently, winning an election by a narrow margin could translate into a very comfortable majority.

Meloni believes that such a change will provide Italy with more stable governments. She has now served continuously for a longer period than any other Italian Prime Minister since the end of World War II. Meloni’s right-wing, conservative coalition, which has been in power for nearly four years, includes her party Brothers of Italy, as well as the League and Forza Italia.