Italian Senate Clears Meloni Electoral Reform Bill 113-71

Italy’s Senate approved Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s electoral-reform bill by a vote of 113-71, giving her governing coalition a political victory while sending the amended measure back to the lower house for final approval. The proposal would replace the current mixed electoral system with proportional representation and bonus seats for the coalition winning at least 42% of the vote, helping ensure a parliamentary majority; if no coalition reaches that threshold, a purely proportional system would apply. It would also require coalitions to name their prime-minister candidate before the election and allow voters to express preferences among candidates on party lists. Opposition lawmakers have denounced the measure as a “scam” or “fraud law,” arguing that the bonus-seat system may be unconstitutional and that the reform is motivated by fears of losing next year’s general election. The vote exposed tensions within Meloni’s coalition and the broader opposition as parties prepare for the election.