Italy’s parliament approves a new election law that gives bonus seats to the coalition or list deemed to have won the election. The measure is presented by the right-wing government as a way to promote stability and reduce the likelihood of short-lived administrations.
Supporters, including the government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, argue the system would produce clearer parliamentary majorities and make governing easier in Italy’s fragmented political environment. Critics, including opposition figures and election watchdogs highlighted by multiple outlets, say the bonus seats can tilt representation beyond voters’ proportional choices. They describe it as potentially concentrating power in a winning coalition and warn it could weaken democratic checks by increasing the likelihood that the same bloc holds an outsized share of parliamentary seats.
