Italy: Agreement of the coalition parties on the change of the electoral law
Italy's governing coalition parties have agreed to a significant overhaul of the electoral law, a move the opposition claims is designed to keep Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in power after the upcoming 2027 elections.
The parties in Italy's governing coalition have reached an agreement on a sweeping revision of the electoral law, according to sources on Thursday. This legislative change is viewed by opposition parties as a strategy aimed at ensuring Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni retains power following the elections set for 2027. Currently, a mixed electoral system is in place where most lawmakers are elected through pure proportional representation, but around 36% are elected from single-member districts through a majority vote.
The proposal from the right-wing coalition, which includes Meloni's 'Brothers of Italy', the League, and Forza Italia, seeks to shift towards a fully proportional system. This new electoral framework is designed to provide a guaranteed majority for any coalition that secures more than 40% of the votes. Proponents of the law contend that this change would enhance political stability, reflect the will of the electorate more clearly, and ensure that any winning coalition has a reliable mandate to govern.
The reform has raised concerns among opposition leaders who fear it could potentially entrench the current government's authority and diminish competitive electoral practices. As political dynamics shift in Italy, the new electoral law could significantly influence future governance and party alignment as the 2027 elections approach, making it a critical moment in Italian political history.