Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Italy Approves Meloni-Backed Electoral Reform Ahead of 2027 Vote
Italy’s lower house approved new rules for the next national election.
Lawmakers voted 227 to 164 in a secret ballot.
The new system gives an alliance a parliamentary majority if it wins more than 42% of the vote.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says the rules could help governments stay stable.
Opposition lawmakers say the changes may help Meloni’s group keep power.
Parties and alliances must name who they want as prime minister before the election.
Voters can also show which candidates on party lists they prefer.
A compromise keeps automatic preference for candidates placed at the top of those lists.
The election is due in 2027.
Italy’s lower house approved the contested electoral reform by 227 votes to 164 in a secret ballot.
The fully proportional system gives a parliamentary majority to any alliance winning more than 42% of the vote.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says the changes are intended to promote stable government; the centre-left opposition says they could help her retain power.
Parties and alliances must name a prime-ministerial candidate before the election, while voters can express preferences among party-list candidates.
A compromise gives candidates at the top of party lists automatic preference; the national election is due in 2027.
- Who
- Italy’s lower house, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and centre-left opposition lawmakers.
- What
- The lower house gave final approval to an electoral reform creating a fully proportional system with a seat bonus for alliances winning more than 42% of the vote.
- When
- Thursday, October 8; the election is due in 2027.
- Where
- Italy.
- Why
- Meloni says the reform is intended to promote stable government; the opposition says it could improve her chances of retaining power.
Government’s case
Opposition’s criticism
Purpose of the reform
Government’s case
Meloni says the rules are designed to promote stability and parliamentary cohesion.
Opposition’s criticism
The centre-left opposition says the reform is intended to improve Meloni’s chances of retaining power.
Passing the law
Government’s case
Meloni said the centre-right had demonstrated unity and remained committed to its promises to citizens.
Opposition’s criticism
Centre-left lawmakers accused the government of forcing the rules through ahead of an election and flouting democracy.
- Vote
- Approved 227 to 164 in a secret ballot.
- Electoral system
- A fully proportional system, with a parliamentary-majority seat bonus for an alliance winning more than 42% of the vote.
- Election
- The national election is due in 2027.
- Prime-ministerial candidates
- Each alliance or party running outside an alliance must name its candidate before the election.
- Voter preferences
- Voters can indicate preferred candidates among party lists.
- List compromise
- Candidates at the top of party lists receive automatic preference.
- Previous system
- Around two-thirds of lawmakers were elected through proportional representation, with the rest chosen in first-past-the-post constituencies.
