Sep 15 ,2026 

Italy Senate Approves Meloni’s Electoral Reform Bill as Voting System Faces Major Overhaul

Rome: Italy’s Senate has approved a major electoral reform backed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s governing coalition, setting the stage for a significant change in the country’s parliamentary voting system ahead of the next general election.

The reform passed the Senate with 113 votes in favour and 71 against, according to reports. The proposal now returns to Italy’s lower house, where lawmakers will have to give it final approval before it can become law.

What Does the New Electoral System Propose?

The proposed legislation would replace Italy’s current mixed electoral system with a more heavily proportional model. Under the plan, the coalition receiving the most votes could receive a majority bonus if it reaches at least 42% of the vote.

The purpose of the threshold is to give the winning coalition a stronger parliamentary majority and make it easier for the government to pass legislation and remain stable during its term.

If no coalition reaches the 42% threshold, or if the results between the Chamber of Deputies and Senate do not produce the required outcome, the system would instead rely on proportional distribution of seats.

The proposal includes a fixed majority bonus of 70 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and 35 seats in the Senate, subject to the limits contained in the legislation.

Coalition Leaders Would Be Identified Before the Election

Another important element of the reform is that political coalitions would be required to identify their candidate for prime minister before voters go to the polls.

Supporters say the change could give voters greater clarity about which political leader would seek to form the next government.

The reform has also been amended during parliamentary debate to allow voters to express preferences for candidates in party lists, with provisions allowing up to three preferences under the current version of the proposal.

Opposition Raises Concerns

Italy’s opposition parties have strongly criticized the proposed electoral changes. They argue that the reform could benefit Meloni’s governing alliance and potentially make it easier for the coalition to retain power.

Opposition figures have also questioned whether the majority-bonus mechanism is constitutionally appropriate and have described the legislation as politically motivated.

Meloni’s coalition, however, argues that the reform is designed to improve governability and reduce the possibility of prolonged political instability.

Why the 42% Threshold Matters

The 42% threshold is one of the most important parts of the proposed system.

If a coalition reaches the required level of support and finishes first, it could receive additional parliamentary seats designed to provide a working majority. If the threshold is not reached, the bonus would not apply and seats would be allocated proportionally.

The ruling coalition considered changing the threshold to 41% during the debate, but that possibility was ultimately dropped, leaving the threshold at 42%.

What Happens Next?

Although the Senate has now approved the bill, the reform is not yet the final law. It must return to the Chamber of Deputies for another vote.

The legislation is therefore likely to remain a major political issue in Italy as parties prepare for the next national election.

The debate could become particularly important because the proposed system may influence how opposition parties form alliances and how governing coalitions campaign.

A Major Change for Italian Politics

Italy has frequently experienced changes to its electoral laws as political parties attempt to balance proportional representation with government stability.

Meloni’s proposed reform represents another significant attempt to reshape that balance. Supporters believe a majority bonus could create stronger and more stable governments, while opponents fear it could give excessive advantages to the largest political coalition.

With the bill now moving back to the lower house, Italy’s electoral system is likely to remain at the centre of political debate in the months ahead.