Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government has suffered a significant political defeat in the Chamber of Deputies, after the most important amendment to her electoral reform was defeated by just one vote. In a secret ballot, 188 deputies voted against and 187 in favor, highlighting divisions within the governing majority.
The amendment, tabled by Fratelli d'Italia, along with Noi Moderati and UDC, aimed to restore preferential voting in parliamentary elections. The proposal would give citizens the opportunity to choose up to three candidates from a party list, instead of the order of deputies being determined primarily by political leaders. It was part of the electoral reform package promoted by Meloni's right-wing coalition.
The reform envisages replacing the current system with a proportional model, accompanied by a bonus of seats for the winning coalition if it passes the predicted threshold of votes, with the argument that this would guarantee governing stability. However, the defeat of the amendment is considered a serious blow to Meloni's authority, as it is believed that around 30 majority MPs did not support the proposal in the secret ballot.
Immediately after the result, the opposition erupted in calls for early elections and the resignation of the prime minister. MPs from the Democratic Party, the Five Star Movement and the Green-Left Alliance protested in the Parliament hall.
The secretary of the Democratic Party, Elly Schlein, declared: "It is time to go home and give Italy a government capable of solving the problems of the Italian people. Admit your failure and leave." While former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said that the majority "has lost confidence in its prime minister" and demanded that the country go to new elections.
