Italian opposition accuses Meloni of rewriting election rules to stay in power

The government claims the reform would ensure stability while opponents accuse it of changing the rules ahead of a 2027 vote The political opposition in Italy has accused Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s ruling coalition of attempting to rewrite the election rules in a bid to remain in power, over a controversial reform that would award bonus parliamentary seats to winning alliances in next year’s general election.

The new bill has cleared three confidence votes in the lower house of parliament, with the final secret ballot scheduled for Thursday.

It passed on Wednesday by 228 votes to 144, bringing the government closer to securing ultimate approval for the overhaul.

The reform would replace Italy’s current electoral system, which combines directly elected constituency seats with proportional representation, with a fully proportional system that rewards the winning coalition with additional seats if it secures at least 42% of the vote.

Read more Political ‘firewall’ breached in eastern Germany – AfD Meloni’s ruling coalition has claimed the reform will ensure more stability, although opposition parties have condemned the proposal, accusing the coalition of changing the rules because it fears losing the 2027 election.

They have also questioned whether the proposed system of awarding bonus seats is constitutional.

“Fear, lies, contempt, and failure.

These are the characteristics of an electoral law passed at the last minute in the final year [of the parliamentary term],” Anna Ascani of the opposition Democratic Party said, according to ANSA.

The reform would replace Italy’s current system, which combines directly elected constituency seats with proportional representation, with a proportional system that rewards the winning coalition if it secures at least 42% of the vote in both chambers.

The winning alliance would receive a bonus of 105 parliamentary seats – 70 in the lower house and 35 in the Senate.

If no coalition reaches the threshold, or different alliances win the two chambers, seats would be distributed proportionally without the bonus.

Read more Europe is in revolt – its leaders are preparing for war The bill would also require coalitions to name their candidate for prime minister before the election and allow voters to express preferences for up to three candidates on party lists.

Critics argue that leading candidates would still be effectively guaranteed a seat.

Meloni has rejected claims that the reform is designed to benefit her coalition, insisting it would ensure political stability regardless of who wins.