Italian Parliament debates center-right electoral law with preference amendment backed by Meloni allies

The Italian Parliament began a crucial three-day debate on Tuesday over a new electoral law backed by the center-right coalition. The law, dubbed "Stabilicum," aims to introduce a proportional system with a majority premium for parties exceeding 42% of the vote and requires indicating a candidate for prime minister. The debate focuses on an amendment introducing preferences, which has received unexpected support from Lega and Forza Italia.
The amendment, proposed by Fratelli d'Italia (FdI) and supported by Noi Moderati and Udc, allows voters to express up to three preferences, including one for a candidate of a different gender, within the multi-member constituencies. This compromise was reached after pressure from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who managed to secure the support of her allies, despite initial reservations.
The opposition parties have fiercely opposed the new electoral law, arguing that it undermines democracy and reduces female representation in Parliament. They have proposed their own amendments and requested secret votes to try to block the law. However, their efforts have so far been unsuccessful, with their preliminary constitutional objections and proposals for gender parity being rejected.
The debate over the electoral law has highlighted divisions within the center-right coalition, with some members expressing reservations about the introduction of preferences. Meanwhile, the opposition parties have criticized the law as a power grab by the ruling coalition, arguing that it will weaken the representation of women and minority groups in Parliament.
Anna Ascani, vice president of the Chamber of Deputies and a member of the Democratic Party (Pd), criticized the new law, stating that it "weakens the representation of women and undermines our democracy." Meanwhile, Maria Alberti Casellati, the Minister for Constitutional Reforms, defended the amendment, arguing that it gives voters more control over the selection of their representatives.
The vote on the amendment is expected to take place later on Tuesday, with the opposition parties planning to continue their efforts to block the law through secret votes and other parliamentary maneuvers.
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