Italian Senate approves electoral reform amid opposition

The Italian Senate voted on Tuesday to approve a reform of the country’s electoral law, passing the measure by 113 votes to 71. The reform, which still requires final approval from the Chamber of Deputies, was backed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s governing coalition – Brothers of Italy, the League and Forza Italia – and opposed by centre‑left parties.

The proposed system would replace the current mixed arrangement, in which most seats are allocated through proportional representation and about one‑third are elected in first‑past‑the‑post constituencies, with a fully proportional voting model. Under the new rules, any alliance that secures more than 42 % of the national vote would be guaranteed a parliamentary majority.

Supporters of the reform argue that it would bring greater political stability to Italy, a country where governments have historically been short‑lived. Meloni’s administration, which took office in 2022, has been described as the longest‑lasting post‑World‑War II government.

Opposition leaders criticised the change as a maneuver to improve Meloni’s chances of re‑election in the scheduled 2025 vote. Former prime minister Matteo Renzi, leader of the Italia Viva party, said the reform was “not about stability” but rather a “risk you will lose the next election.” Centre‑left senators staged a protest after the vote, waving red and yellow placards bearing the slogan “No to the fraud law.”

Analysts note that the abolition of the first‑past‑the‑post constituencies could remove a component of the electoral system that has sometimes favoured the centre‑left opposition. The fully proportional model would shift all seats to be allocated based on party vote shares, with the 42 % threshold intended to ensure a clear governing majority.

If the lower house approves the bill, the reform would become law and reshape Italy’s electoral landscape ahead of the next general election.