Italy’s Giorgia Meloni forces through new electoral law ahead of vote, opposition cries foul

ROME — 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.

“We are introducing rules designed to promote ⁠the stability and parliamentary cohesion of any government,” Meloni posted on X after the vote. “Whoever wins must be able ​to govern.”

When ⁠the reform was conceived, her rightist bloc ‌led in opinion polls and critics said the changes were intended to hand her a handsome majority after the election.

However, the political landscape has changed since the emergence in February of a new far-right…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/world