Full Breakdown
Centre-Right Backing of Preferential-Vote Amendment Fuels Secret-Ballot Debate in Italy’s Electoral Reform
7/15/2026, 12:44:09 AM
Core Amendment and Coalition Backing
Parliamentary groups of Lega and Forza Italia have announced they will vote in favour of the amendment drafted by Fratelli d’Italia (FdI), Noi Moderati and UDC. The proposal introduces a fixed lead candidate on party lists and allows voters to cast up to three preferences—one of which must be gender-balanced—among candidates already listed in multi-member constituencies. Party leaders Matteo Salvini and Antonio Tajani gave a “general green light” after internal meetings, signalling that the coalition prioritises the amendment to preserve the majority’s stability.
Opposition Push for a Secret Ballot
Opposition parties, including the PD and M5S, argue that the entire electoral reform, and the preferential-vote amendment in particular, should be decided by secret ballot. They hope dissenting members of the governing coalition will use the secret-ballot mechanism—available if twenty MPs or group leaders request it—to block the amendment. Deputy Speaker Fabio Rampelli confirmed that all qualifying amendments and the final vote will be subject to secret ballot under Chamber rules.
Gender-Equality Sub-Amendment Rejected
A sub-amendment aimed at guaranteeing gender parity among lead candidates—proposed by Luana Zanella (AVS) and supported by the PD and M5S—was defeated in the Chamber, receiving 207 votes against and 155 in favour. The text would have limited same-gender lead candidates to no more than 50 % of the total.
Procedural Context and Outlook
The amendment’s fate will be decided before the lunchtime deadline for tabling changes. If the centre-right reaches a last-minute agreement, the amendment could be adopted without a secret ballot; otherwise, the opposition may invoke the secret-ballot provision to stall the measure. The broader electoral law, which includes a majority bonus for the party surpassing 42 % of the vote, remains on a tight timetable, with the government seeking to avoid a confidence vote.
Verbatim Quotes
- “there is only one way to find out: the amendment must be voted on by open ballot and not by secret ballot” — Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister
- “Ahead of the votes on the electoral law scheduled to take place in the Chamber today, the Lega has met to assess the amendment proposed by FdI, Noi Moderati and the UDC. Having noted that the amendment provides for a mixed system which ensures governability and gives local areas a say in the choice of their representatives, the party will instruct its parliamentary group in the Chamber of Deputies to vote in favour of the amendment in question,” — Lega statement
- “the centre-right has always reached agreement and will do so in this situation too,” — Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister, Forza Italia
- “This point was also reiterated by Lega member Igor Iezzi, who highlighted the unity achieved on the “complex” framework of the bill: “There remains this difference over preferential votes, which in my view is not fundamental.” — Igor Iezzi, Lega member
- “We are the only ones who want to restore sovereignty to the people” — Roberto Vannacci, MP
