Italy passes Meloni’s electoral reform, sets 42% threshold for parliamentary majority
Italy's parliament has approved a new electoral reform championed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, which grants a parliamentary majority to alliances securing over 42% of the vote. The opposition has criticized the move as a power-grab, while the government argues it will ensure political stability.
Why it matters
This reform significantly alters the Italian political landscape by incentivizing coalition building and aiming to reduce government turnover.
Italy’s parliament on Thursday gave final approval to an electoral reform championed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The reform introduces a fully proportional voting system that gives a parliamentary majority to alliances winning more than 42% of the vote ahead of a national election due by the end of next year.It was approved by the lower house in a secret ballot by 227 votes to 164, despite strong opposition from centre-left parties. Meloni had warned that she would resign if the legislation failed, making the vote a key test of her governing coalition.The Italian PM said the new system would help deliver more stable governments and give voters a greater say in choosing political programmes and prime ministerial candidates."Stable governments and greater participation mean more continuity, more accountability and a greater ability to provide concrete answers to Italians," Meloni wrote on X after the vote.The opposition, however, accused Meloni’s government…
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