The Italian Chamber of Deputies approved a new electoral law this week that introduces a majority bonus and modifies voting procedures [1].
The reform, nicknamed “Bigmami bis” or “Melonellum,” seeks to prevent the legislative paralysis that has historically plagued Italian governments. By granting a significant seat advantage to the winning coalition, the government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni aims to guarantee a stable governing majority [2, 3].
On July 13, the Chamber of Deputies passed the first reading of the bill with 217 yes, 152 no, and two abstentions [4]. The core of the proposal is a majority bonus awarded to any coalition that reaches at least 42% of the vote [2, 3].
Beyond the majority bonus, the law introduces blocked party lists and changes to how overseas citizens cast their ballots [2, 3]. While the Chamber has cleared the measure, the Senate's examination of the bill was postponed to July 14 [5].
Opposition leaders have criticized the reform as a maneuver to consolidate power. Giuseppe Conte said, "È una legge truffa" [4]. Elly Schlein said, "La maggioranza non c'è più, è un colabrodo" [4].
The legislation now moves to the Senate at Palazzo Madama for its first reading [3]. If approved, the new system will fundamentally change how representatives are elected and how coalitions are formed in Italy.
“"È una legge truffa"”
The shift toward a 42% threshold for a majority bonus represents a strategic move to prioritize stability over proportional representation. By rewarding the largest coalition with a guaranteed majority, the Meloni government is attempting to reduce the reliance on fragile multi-party alliances that often lead to frequent government collapses in the Italian parliamentary system.
