by InTrieste
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni suffered a setback in Parliament on Tuesday after lawmakers narrowly rejected a key amendment to the government’s electoral reform bill in a secret ballot, exposing divisions within her governing coalition.
The amendment, which failed by a single vote, 188 to 187, would have reintroduced preference voting, allowing Italians to select individual candidates from party lists for the first time in more than three decades. The proposal had been put forward by Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party together with coalition allies Noi Moderati and the Union of the Centre (UDC).
The outcome came as a surprise because coalition partners Forza Italia and the League had publicly instructed their lawmakers to support the measure, and Roberto Vannacci’s Futuro Nazionale had also signaled its backing. The secret ballot, however, prevented lawmakers’ votes from being identified, suggesting that support from within the governing majority fell short.
Before the vote, Meloni had urged Parliament to hold an open ballot, arguing that lawmakers should “take responsibility” for their decisions rather than vote anonymously. Following the defeat, she acknowledged that the governing coalition had lost several votes and said the result required reflection, while criticizing the opposition for insisting on a secret ballot.
Opposition leaders described the vote as evidence of growing instability within the government. Giuseppe Conte, leader of the Five Star Movement, said Meloni had been rejected by members of her own majority, while Elly Schlein, leader of the Democratic Party, called the result a sign of divisions within the coalition.
Coalition leaders sought to minimize the political fallout. Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani described the defeat as a temporary setback rather than a threat to the government’s future, and Senate President Ignazio La Russa suggested the proposal could be revived when the broader electoral reform bill reaches the upper house, where a similar secret ballot would not be possible.
The amendment formed part of a wider package of electoral reforms that would replace Italy’s current mixed voting system with a fully proportional model, including bonus seats for coalitions receiving more than 42 percent of the vote.
Although the broader legislation remains under consideration, the defeat highlights tensions within Meloni’s coalition as Italy moves closer to the next general election, expected in 2027.
