Reuters
Source: Reuters
Italy’s lower house of parliament gave final approval on Thursday to a fiercely contested electoral reform championed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni which provides the framework for a national election due next year.
Meloni says the new rules are intended to increase the prospect of stable government. The centre-left opposition says the goal is to boost her chances of retaining power.
In a secret ballot, lawmakers approved by 227 votes to 164 a bill introducing a fully proportional electoral system (PR), with a seat bonus guaranteeing a parliamentary majority to any alliance winning more than 42% of the vote.
Under the previous rules, around two-thirds of lawmakers were elected through PR, with the remainder chosen in first-past-the-post constituencies which analysts said may have favoured the opposition.
