Italy approves Meloni's electoral reform and avoids early elections

The Chamber of Deputies in Italy has approved the controversial electoral reform proposed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The law, which stipulates that the coalition receiving more than 42% of the votes will gain an absolute majority, was endorsed with 227 votes in favor and 164 against.

The vote took place after Meloni warned her allies about the possibility of early elections if the reform was not approved. Reports suggest that the approval of the law was deemed indispensable for the government and a key issue for the center-right coalition.

Meloni had indicated that rejecting the reform could lead to a government crisis, which created tensions among her allies. However, this time, the same deputies who had previously opposed the measure chose to support it, emphasizing the unity of the center-right on this matter.

The new legislation also includes the allocation of 70 additional seats in the Chamber of Deputies and 35 in the Senate for the winning list or coalition, similar to regulations in other countries like Greece.

Furthermore, this electoral reform will face legal challenges, as several appeals are expected to be presented to the Constitutional Court, which could lead to further disputes in the near future.

The outcome of the vote has been a relief for Meloni and her government, alleviating the political instability that could have arisen from early elections at this critical time.