ROME — Italy’s lower house of parliament gave final approval on Thursday to a fiercely contested electoral reform championed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni which provides the framework for a national election due next year.
\n\nMeloni says the new rules are intended to increase the prospect of stable government. The centre-left opposition says the goal is to boost her chances of retaining power.
\n\nIn a secret ballot, lawmakers approved by 227 votes to 164 a bill introducing a fully proportional electoral system (PR), with a seat bonus guaranteeing a parliamentary majority to any alliance winning more than 42% of the vote.
\n\nUnder the previous rules, around two-thirds of lawmakers were elected through PR, with the remainder chosen in first-past-the-post constituencies which analysts said may have favoured the opposition.
\n\n“We are introducing rules designed to promote the stability and parliamentary cohesion of any government,” Meloni posted on X after the vote. “Whoever wins must be able to govern.”
\n\nWhen the reform was conceived, her rightist bloc led in opinion polls and critics said the changes were intended to hand her a handsome majority after the election.
\n\nHowever, the political landscape has changed since the emergence in February of a new far-right…
Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/health