Italy Parliament votes on electoral law in key test for Meloni
Italy's Parliament is voting on a controversial electoral reform proposed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government. The opposition claims the reform is designed to favor the ruling coalition, while the government argues it is necessary for political stability.
Why it matters
The outcome of this vote is a critical test for the Meloni administration and could significantly alter Italy's political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.
Italy's Parliament votes Thursday (October 8, 2026) on a reform of the country's electoral law that opposition parties say Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni 's hard-right government has designed to boost its chances of re-election next year.
The proposal would introduce a fully proportional system that guarantees a parliamentary majority to any alliance winning more than 42% of the vote.
Italy's current electoral model combines first-past-the-post and proportional representation, with neither the right nor the left expected to secure an outright parliamentary majority at the next election.
Ms. Meloni's coalition argues a new law is needed to bring greater political stability to Italy, but experts warn it could backfire and hand the left a clear path to victory at the 2027 polls.
The electoral reform would "guarantee governability", Luca Ciriani, minister for parliamentary relations, told AFP .
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