Full Breakdown
Giorgia Meloni’s Electoral Reform Wins Final Parliamentary Approval
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Final Vote in the Chamber of Deputies
On October 8, 2026, Italy’s lower house approved the contested electoral overhaul in a secret ballot, 227 votes to 164. The vote marks the third reading of the bill and launches the campaign for the 2027 general election. The approval clears the way for implementation, pending a constitutional-court challenge.
Core Provisions of the New System
The reform replaces the mixed model (two-thirds proportional, one-third first-past-the-post) with a fully proportional system. A “majority bonus” awards 70 seats in the Chamber and 35 in the Senate to any pre-election alliance that secures at least 42 % of the national vote. The law also:
- Requires each coalition or solo party to publish a governing programme and name its prime-ministerial candidate before the election.
- Introduces preference voting while keeping list leaders blocked.
- Raises the signature threshold for parties without parliamentary representation from 1,500 to 6,000.
- Adjusts gender-representation rules and extends voting rights to citizens residing outside their registered municipality.
Political Context and Stakes
Meloni’s centre-right bloc, led by Brothers of Italy, Forza Italia and the League, celebrated as Italy’s longest-serving post-war government. The coalition argues the changes will deliver “stable governments.” Opposition parties call the bonus a distortion of voter representation and label the reform “scam law.”
The rise of National Future, headed by former army general Roberto Vannacci, has eroded support for the governing alliance, raising doubts about reaching the 42 % threshold. The centre-left remains fragmented, with Democratic Party secretary Elly Schlein and Five-Star Movement leader Giuseppe Conte still at odds over a unified candidate.
Official Statements & Responses
Parliamentary relations minister Luca Ciriani told AFP the law “guarantees governability” and forces parties to spell out programmes and leadership choices before the ballot. Opposition leaders described the legislation as a power grab.
Data & Statistics
- Final vote: 227 for, 164 against.
- Majority bonus: +70 seats (Chamber) and +35 seats (Senate) for any alliance surpassing 42 % of the vote.
- Signature threshold for new parties: 6,000 signatures (up from 1,500).
- Current system: roughly 66 % of seats elected proportionally, the remainder via first-past-the-post constituencies.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the timing of the next election. The legal fate of the majority-bonus provision remains unsettled pending a constitutional-court review.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Go ahead and change the electoral law, we will win in any case under any voting system,” — Democratic Party
- “To those who hoped to see the centre-right divided, today we responded with facts: we are united, cohesive, and determined to carry forward the commitments made to citizens,” — Giorgia Meloni, prime minister
- “Seats first. That is your slogan. We will vote firmly against this electoral law, which has been designed not for voters but to protect those already elected. With our progressive alliance we will be able to win under any electoral law and change Italians’ lives,” — Elly Schlein, democratic party secretary