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Meloni’s Govt Loses Amendment 188-187, Opposition Demands Resignation

7/15/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government lost the preference-voting amendment in the lower house by one vote, 188 to 187.
Giorgia Meloni posted on Facebook that opposition lawmakers celebrated the defeat like a World Cup win, accusing them of blocking citizens’ right to choose MPs.
Opposition lawmakers celebrated, chanting “elections” and demanding Giorgia Meloni’s resignation, a demand echoed by Elly Schlein and Giuseppe Conte.

History

Historical Context

After the March 1994 election gave Berlusconi’s centre-right coalition a Chamber majority but not a Senate one, his first government survived a Senate confidence vote of 159-153 before collapsing in December 1994 when a parliamentary confidence vote fell 340-332, splitting Forza Italia. A similar razor-thin defeat—an amendment lost 188-187—has recently shaken Meloni’s bloc, underscoring Italy’s long-standing pattern of fragile coalitions.

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Story summary

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government lost the preference-voting amendment in the lower house by one vote, 188 to 187.
Giorgia Meloni posted on Facebook that opposition lawmakers celebrated the defeat like a World Cup win, accusing them of blocking citizens’ right to choose MPs.
Opposition lawmakers celebrated, chanting “elections” and demanding Giorgia Meloni’s resignation, a demand echoed by Elly Schlein and Giuseppe Conte.

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