Italian deputies oppose preferential voting, warn it harms women's representation

A group of Italian women deputies from parties across the spectrum – including the Democratic Party, Action, Lega, Forza Italia, the Greens–Left and others – have signed an open letter demanding that the proposed re‑introduction of preferential voting in the electoral law be rejected. They argue that allowing voters to mark individual candidates favours personal networks, campaign financing and name recognition, conditions that disadvantage women and could lower the current 34% share of women in Parliament to levels similar to regional councils, where women hold about 25% of seats when preferences are used.

The deputies warn that the mechanism may increase clientelism, fragment party cohesion and make it harder to form stable governing majorities. While most signatories call for safeguards or limits on preferences, a minority of socialist women parliamentarians have defended the system as a democratic tool that gives voters direct choice. The debate is shaping the upcoming revision of Italy's electoral law and is being watched by parties, experts and civil society groups.

The issue highlights broader concerns about gender parity in Italian politics and the balance between voter empowerment and equitable candidate competition.