Italian law to give election winners bonus seats: Why that’s controversial

What the report says

Italy’s parliament is voting on a proposed electoral reform backed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni that would change how the country forms governments. According to Al Jazeera, the bill would shift Italy from its current mixed system to a fully proportional model and add bonus seats for any party or coalition that wins at least 42 percent in both chambers, enough to secure a majority. The measure has already passed the Senate and faces a final secret-ballot vote in the Chamber of Deputies.

Supporters say the reform would reduce the instability that has often marked Italian coalition politics. Meloni has argued that it would simply ensure the election winner has enough seats to govern. The plan would also require coalitions to name their prime ministerial candidate before elections, a change some analysts say could create pressure on opposition alliances.

Critics, including opposition politicians and some academics, say the law is anti-democratic because it could give a winning bloc an outsized share of power. They also argue the higher threshold could still leave Italy with a hung parliament if no side reaches it, forcing new postelection bargaining. Some opponents believe the reform is designed to help Meloni’s Brothers of Italy ahead of the next general election, which must be held by December 2027 unless called earlier.

Polling cited by Al Jazeera shows Meloni’s bloc leading but not clearly above the 42 percent threshold, adding to uncertainty over whether the proposed system would actually produce the stability its backers promise.