Italy’s Chamber of Deputies debates contentious electoral law as MP Riccardo Magi is expelled

The Italian government’s proposed electoral reform entered the Chamber of Deputies on 26 June 2026, prompting a heated general discussion. The text, dubbed “Melonellum” or “Stabilicum 2.0”, seeks to tighten the majority prize, raise the governing threshold to 42 %, and remove the runoff, while also altering the rule on preferential votes.

Opposition deputies opposed the removal of preferences and warned that the law would create a “mild electoral coup”, likening it to the historic Acerbo law. During the debate, Riccardo Magi, secretary of +Europa and minority reporter, tore down a large mock‑up of the ballot that read “Il tuo voto non conta nulla”. After three warnings from presiding president Anna Ascani, he was expelled from the chamber and the session was suspended for about an hour. Minister for Institutional Reforms Elisabetta Casellati defended the proposal, asserting it respects the Constitution and aims to guarantee governmental stability.

Other points of contention included an amendment requiring the future prime‑ministerial candidate to appear both on the government‑stability list and on a parliamentary list, and a debate over a “anti‑Vannacci” clause affecting smaller parties. Multiple opposition parties, from the PD to the M5S, condemned the bill as a step away from democratic representation and warned it could further erode voter participation.