Italy's centre-left coalition grapples with new electoral law

Rome – Italy's centre‑left alliance is struggling to form a “fourth leg” as the coalition borders on a possible fifth faction. The split centres on former prime minister Matteo Renzi’s “Casa Riformista” and the separate list led by Alessandro Onorato’s Progetto Civico Italia. Renzi clarified, “Onorato wants to do his own thing, that’s fine… Casa Riformista will be on the ballot, within the centre‑left.”

The hurdle is a new electoral reform slated for a vote tomorrow that limits digital signature collection and exempts only certain parties—benefitting Renzi’s list while forcing smaller groups such as Progetto Civico, Più Europa and others to gather paper signatures. Più Europa secretary Riccardo Magi called the rule a “scempio.” The arrangement could dramatically boost Renzi’s bargaining power. Green‑Left leader Angelo Bonelli echoed concerns, saying, “I welcome Più Europa’s appeal – this is a democratic viability issue that cannot be ignored.”