Italy Parliament Passes Sweeping Electoral Reform Ahead of 2027 Vote

ROME — Italy’s parliament gave final approval to a comprehensive overhaul of the electoral law on Saturday, a reform backed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and slated for implementation before the 2027 general election.

Legislative timeline

The lower house passed the bill on 5 October, and the Senate approved it on 7 October, according to reports from Bloomberg and WSLS. President Sergio Mattarella signed the legislation on 8 October, completing the parliamentary process.

Core elements of the reform

While the exact mechanics vary among sources, the new law replaces the existing mixed system with a proportional framework that allocates seats based on party vote share. The reform also lowers the electoral threshold for parties to enter parliament, aiming to reduce the number of fragmented factions and promote stable governing coalitions.

Under the new rules, the Chamber of Deputies will retain 400 seats, but the distribution will be fully proportional, eliminating the current first‑past‑the‑post component in single‑member districts. The Senate, which has 200 seats, will follow a similar proportional model, with regional lists determining seat allocation.

Political backdrop

Meloni’s centre‑right coalition has pushed the reform as a way to streamline the electoral process and curb the influence of small parties that have historically held the balance of power in coalition governments. Supporters argue the changes will produce clearer mandates and reduce post‑election bargaining.

Opposition parties, including the centre‑left Democratic Party and the Five Star Movement, criticised the overhaul as a partisan move that favours the governing bloc. They warned that lowering the threshold could still allow fringe parties to gain representation, potentially complicating future coalition building.

Domestic reaction

Political analysts in Rome noted that the timing of the reform—just months before the scheduled 2027 election—creates a narrow window for parties to adapt campaign strategies. Civil‑society groups called for a public debate on the implications for voter representation, but the parliamentary majority proceeded without a formal referendum.

International observers, including the European Commission, said they would monitor the implementation to ensure compliance with EU standards on democratic processes.

Implementation schedule

The electoral code will be published in the official gazette within the next two weeks, and the Ministry of the Interior will issue detailed guidelines for parties and electoral commissions by the end of November. The new system is expected to be in force for the 2027 general election, scheduled for early autumn.