Italy’s new electoral law approved, opposition prepares constitutional challenge
The Chamber of Deputies approved Italy’s revised electoral law with 227 votes in favour and 164 against, solidifying the centre-right coalition’s control over the parliamentary agenda. The vote, conducted by electronic ballot under secret procedure, ended weeks of procedural disputes and marked a decisive moment for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who called the outcome a sign of coalition unity.
Key changes under the new system
The law, unofficially dubbed Stabilicum, replaces the Rosatellum system with a hybrid model combining proportional representation and a fixed majority bonus. A coalition winning at least 42% of the national vote in both chambers will receive 70 additional seats in the Chamber of Deputies and 35 in the Senate, up to a cap of 220 and 113 seats respectively. If no coalition hits the 42% threshold, seats are distributed purely proportionally.
For voters, the ballot now features a party symbol and a list of six candidates. The top name on each list — the capolista — is fixed and cannot be displaced by voter preferences. Below them, voters may select up to three candidates, but must alternate between male and female names, or risk invalidating their lower preferences. No candidate may appear on more than five different lists nationwide.
Each coalition must also publicly name its candidate for Prime Minister in its official programme, though the Constitution’s Article 92 — which gives the President of the Republic sole authority in appointing the PM — remains unchanged.
Gender quotas reshaped, sparking controversy
The law eliminates the requirement that lead candidates alternate by gender — a rule present under the previous system. Instead, it imposes a 60% cap per gender across all candidates nominated by a party or coalition. Critics, including former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein, argue this allows parties to place all male candidates as capilisti, effectively sidelining women from the most electable positions. “You introduced preference with fanfare — it’s a sham,” Conte said. “You’ve blocked the path for other women.”
Electoral experts warn the change could reverse gains in female representation made under Rosatellum, where women now make up nearly 38% of Parliament — above the EU average.
Voting rights extended, barriers raised
The reform expands voto fuorisede, allowing voters temporarily residing elsewhere for work, health reasons, or as family caregivers to cast ballots in their current location, provided they register at least 45 days before the election. Caregivers of hospitalized relatives in different regions are now explicitly included.
Conversely, the law raises the number of signatures needed for parties outside Parliament to enter the ballot: 6,000 per electoral district, up from 1,500. That totals around 450,000 signatures nationwide — a hurdle opponents say effectively excludes small parties and independent candidates. Exceptions apply to parties already holding at least one parliamentary group formed by December 31, 2025.
Overseas constituencies have been streamlined: the Chamber’s four overseas districts are now two (Europe and non-Europe); the Senate’s four are consolidated into a single national overseas constituency.
Legal battle looms
Opposition parties, backed by a coalition of constitutional law professors led by Roberto Zaccaria and Enrico Grosso, have pledged to challenge the law before the Constitutional Court. Their arguments center on four key issues:
• The 42% majority bonus may violate the constitutional principle of equal voting weight, as it can disproportionately amplify one coalition’s power.
• The non-gendered capilista system risks contravening Articles 3 and 51 of the Constitution on equality and women’s access to public office.
• The 6,000-signature requirement imposes an unreasonable barrier to political pluralism.
• The mandatory nomination of a Prime Minister candidate could blur the line between party preference and presidential prerogative.
A ruling from the Court is expected before the next general election, scheduled for early 2027. Past rulings on similar laws — such as the 2017 Italicum — show the Court has intervened before elections took effect.
Political fallout
Inside the chamber, government MPs celebrated, while opposition members held up signs reading “Legge truffa” and “Meloni: sanità + armi”. Meanwhile, Riccardo Magi, leader of +Europa, continued his hunger strike after rejecting a government proposal to soften digital signature rules, calling it a “pretext for inaction.”
Inside the centre-right, internal discussions have already begun on candidate lists. Minister Tommaso Foti openly stated his intention to run on a preference-based slot, hinting at future tensions between party leadership and grassroots candidates.
With the law now passed, the government turns its focus to its next major challenge: the 2027 budget. But for millions of voters, the question remains — will their voice actually count, when the ballot offers choice, but the outcome is pre-determined?
