by EH
In a significant move on Tuesday, the Italian Senate approved the right-wing government’s contentious bill to reform the nation’s constitution, paving the way for the direct election of the prime minister.
The Premierato constitutional reform bill, championed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, was passed by a vote of 109 to 77. The legislation will now proceed to the lower house for consideration. Under Meloni’s proposal, Italian voters would directly elect prime ministers for five-year terms. The coalition backing the winning candidate would be assured at least 55 percent of seats in both houses of parliament, securing a functional majority.
The Senate’s approval sparked a visible display of division. Opposition center-left senators held up copies of the constitution, while senators from the right applauded and waved Italian tricolor flags.
Despite the Senate’s approval, the vote fell short of the two-thirds majority required for constitutional changes by both houses of parliament in Italy. The bill is similarly not expected to achieve the necessary majority in the lower house, indicating that it will likely be subject to a referendum.
Meloni argues that the Premierato would result in stronger and more stable governments, putting an end to the revolving door administrations that have characterized Italy’s political landscape, which has seen 68 governments since 1946. “This reform is essential for ensuring political stability and governance,” Meloni stated after the vote.
However, opposition parties and critics contend that the reform could diminish the powers of parliament and the president, potentially leading to a more authoritarian regime. The current system requires parties to negotiate post-election to form a government, with the ruling majority proposing a prime ministerial candidate for the Italian president’s approval.
In a related development, opposition parties held demonstrations in Rome on Tuesday, protesting not only the constitutional reform but also a controversial proposal to grant greater autonomy to Italian regions. This plan, which ignited a parliamentary brawl last week, has faced criticism for potentially exacerbating the economic disparity between Italy’s northern and southern regions.
The unfolding political debate continues to underscore the deep-seated divisions within Italian politics, as the country grapples with significant questions about its governance and constitutional framework.
