Italy’s lower house ratified the reform in a 227‑to‑164 secret ballot, a decisive victory for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s coalition amid fierce centre‑left opposition.
The new framework replaces the hybrid system that mixed proportional representation with first‑past‑the‑post seats. Under the law, any alliance exceeding 42% of the national vote receives a 70‑seat bonus in the 400‑member Chamber and an additional 35 seats in the 200‑member Senate, guaranteeing a working majority.
Meloni praised the change as a step toward stable governments, arguing it would give voters clearer choices by forcing parties to publish their governing programme and name their prime‑minister candidate before the election. Elly Schlein of the Democratic Party dismissed the move as a power grab, insisting the centre‑left would win regardless of the new maths.
Polls show Brothers of Italy at 28%, the Democratic Party at 20% and Five Star at 12.5%, meaning the opposition would need a broad coalition to cross the 42% ceiling. Political scientist Piero Ignazi warned that a primary could fracture the left further, while Conte criticized the law as a “convoluted scheme” designed to advantage Meloni.
Opposition parties have announced plans to challenge the reform in court and to push for an early election, with Meloni’s term formally ending in October 2027 but the possibility of a snap vote in April or May looming. The next test will come on the ballot in late 2026, where the 42% hurdle will determine whether the new majority bonus activates.