In brief
Italy’s Parliament has ratified a sweeping change to its electoral system, moving from a hybrid model to fully proportional representation. The 227–164 vote saw Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni defend the reform as a way to ensure clearer majorities and greater governmental stability. Opposition parties accused the move of entrenching Meloni’s right‑wing coalition and warned that it may undermine democratic checks. Critics also warned that the reforms could give a modest vote share a disproportionate number of seats, potentially skewing representation. Internal tensions within Meloni's bloc remain as the coalition balances its desire for stability with the risk of alienating allies.
Italy’s Parliament adopts fully proportional electoral system
Italy’s parliament has approved a controversial overhaul to make its electoral system fully proportional, a change backed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Lawmakers voted 227 to 164 in favour, with Meloni arguing that the reform will boost the likelihood of clear winners and more stable governments in future elections. The move abandons the country’s existing hybrid system, in which roughly a third of seats are filled by first‑past‑the‑post contests while the rest use proportional representation.
Opposition parties contested the changes as a deliberate strategy to advantage Meloni’s right‑wing coalition, accusing the government of flouting democratic norms. Critics point out that a coalition winning more than 42 % of the vote would receive extra seats, a rule that could turn a narrow victory into a comfortable majority.
Meloni’s coalition, while enduring a rare period of political stability since her 2022 election, has faced internal strain. The Brothers of Italy and its allies, the far‑right League and centre‑right Forza Italia, have expressed divergent views on how best to navigate the new system.
“We are united, cohesive, and determined to carry forward the commitments made to citizens,” Meloni posted on social media after the vote.
