Giorgia Meloni wants to ease his way to a new mandate

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is reportedly working to ease her path toward securing another term in office by proposing changes to Italy's electoral law. The right-wing leader, whose government could soon become the longest-serving in the country’s history, has been pushing for reforms ahead of the upcoming elections scheduled for next year. According to reports, the government believes these changes will contribute to a more stable Italy, but opposition voices have raised concerns about potential threats to democracy. Some critics argue that the proposed modifications aim to favor the largest governing party. Gianfranco Pasquino, a professor of political science at Bologna University, described Meloni's intentions as a form of electoral calculation. He noted that within the center-right coalition, there is a belief that the current electoral system does not provide sufficient assurance of a convincing parliamentary majority, prompting their push for yet another revision of the rules in less than two decades. This concern stems from shifting power dynamics. In 2022, Brothers of Italy, along with far-right League and conservative Forza Italia, capitalized on the fragmentation of the left. The right presented a united front in single-member districts, while their opponents were divided, resulting in a significant share of those seats going to the center-right coalition. This coalition secured nearly 60 percent of the seats in both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, despite receiving approximately 44 percent of the votes. Today, repeating such a result seems unlikely. A broader opposition bloc consisting of the centrist Democratic Party (PD), populist Five Star Movement, and the Green and Left alliance is forming alliances. Public opinion polls suggest a close contest between the two sides, with progressive forces slightly leading according to a survey by YouTrend. Progressives received support from 45.8 percent of respondents, compared to 44 percent for the center-right coalition. The possibility of a narrow outcome poses challenges for Meloni, comparable to a defeat. In Italian political tradition, this scenario might open the door to negotiations over compromise candidates, technical mandates, and potentially lead the country into political instability. Roberto D'Alimonte, a political scientist from Rome's Luiss University, emphasized that Meloni supports the reform because she seeks a simpler and more decisive electoral system. She aims to prevent scenarios where no clear winner emerges. To avoid deadlock, the government's proposal, named Stabilicum, eliminates single-member districts and replaces them with proportional seat distribution. It also encourages pre-election alliances and the formation of large blocs. The proposal grants a guaranteed bonus to parties or coalitions exceeding 42 percent of the vote—70 additional seats in the 400-member Chamber of Deputies and 35 in the 200-member Senate. D'Alimonte explained that the system offers dual aspects: majoritarian if a coalition surpasses 42 percent, and proportional otherwise. However, Gianfranco Pasquino argues that seeking stability through electoral law is misguided. He stated that stability primarily depends on the ability of coalitions to remain together and the leadership's capacity to guide them. He criticized the proposal as entirely inappropriate, noting that electoral laws worldwide are designed to elect parliaments, not governments. Opposition groups strongly oppose the proposal, citing criticisms that the government is focusing on the wrong priorities during a period of low economic growth and stagnant real wages. They also accuse Meloni of pursuing a personal agenda that could distort political representation.