Das Wahlgesetz, die Idee des Wahlrechts ist schon vorbei.

The proposed electoral law amendment introducing a runoff election has been abandoned, with the idea effectively ruled out. The text of the new law, which was being debated in the Senate, will remain largely unchanged following the withdrawal of key amendments. This development comes after intense discussions among political parties, particularly within the center-right coalition, where Forza Italia had initially pushed forward with an amendment aimed at implementing a two-round voting system. At the heart of the debate was the so-called "Melonellum," a term used to describe the current electoral reform proposal. Initially, there were signs that Forza Italia might introduce an amendment requiring a minimum threshold of 40% support for a party or coalition to qualify for a second round of voting. However, this plan was ultimately scrapped at the last minute. According to reports, the amendment faced resistance from several factions, including the League, led by Matteo Salvini, who viewed the measure as too risky and potentially detrimental to their electoral strategy. The League’s opposition played a crucial role in shaping the final version of the law. Salvini, already struggling to gain broad acceptance of the new electoral rules among his supporters, saw the introduction of a runoff as a potential threat to their influence. The proposed rule would have required voters to return to the polls in a second round if no candidate or coalition reached the 40% threshold, thereby increasing voter participation and possibly altering the distribution of seats. However, the League deemed such a change too disruptive and opted instead to block its implementation. In response to the League's stance, Forza Italia decided to withdraw its amendment, choosing instead to focus on other aspects of the electoral reform. The revised law includes two main amendments: one that modifies the "cutting the bushes" provision, limiting the contribution of smaller parties to coalition vote calculations, and another that adjusts gender preferences in candidate lists while maintaining proportional representation. These changes aim to streamline the electoral process and reduce the impact of strategic voting, though they have not addressed the broader concerns raised by the opposition. Opposition parties, including the Democratic Party (Pd), the Five Star Movement (M5s), and others, submitted numerous amendments to the bill, reflecting their dissatisfaction with the proposed reforms. Over 300 amendments were introduced, with the Pd alone submitting more than 200. Despite these efforts, the core structure of the law remains intact, with the runoff mechanism removed from consideration. The legislative process moves forward with the bill scheduled to be discussed in the Senate chamber on September 9. If passed, the law is expected to be finalized by September 15, marking the end of a contentious and prolonged debate over Italy’s electoral framework. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the outcome of this legislative process will likely shape the future of Italian politics for years to come.