Italy’s Chamber of Deputies approved a new electoral law in a secret ballot, with 227 votes in favour and 164 against. The measure awards bonus parliamentary seats to a pre-election coalition that wins at least 42% of the vote.
The reform received final parliamentary approval after months of debate. Associated Press and Reuters report that it replaces the current mixed system with proportional representation and awards an additional 70 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and 35 in the Senate to a coalition that clears the 42% threshold.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the law a way to let voters choose a party, coalition, programme and candidate for prime minister in advance. Supporters say the change should make election outcomes clearer and help produce more stable governments.
Opposition parties argue that the seat bonus is excessive and plan to challenge the law in Italy’s Constitutional Court once it takes effect. They say it could distort representation. The final parliamentary vote has therefore not ended the dispute over the reform’s constitutionality.
The vote followed a heated debate about candidate selection and preferential ballots. Il Fatto Quotidiano reported statements from lawmakers and ministers, but parts of its transcript were garbled. The main provisions and vote tally are confirmed by AP and Reuters.