Italian Chamber defeats constitutional challenges to electoral reform

The Italian Chamber of Deputies has reached a significant milestone in the debate over the electoral reform proposed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. In a high-stakes secret ballot, the center-right majority successfully defeated five constitutional challenges (pregiudiziali) presented by opposition parties. The vote resulted in 229 votes against the challenges compared to 151 in favor, providing the government with a crucial victory and reducing immediate uncertainty regarding the reform's continuity.

The proposed electoral system features a proportional model with a majority premium, including 70 seats in the Chamber and 35 possible seats in the Senate for the coalition reaching 42 percent. The political tension was high, with many ministers and deputies summoned to ensure full attendance. Fratelli d'Italia leader Galeazzo Bignami emphasized the gravity of the situation, suggesting that the survival of the government was tied to the law's passage.

While the rejection of the constitutional challenges is a relief for the majority, the process remains delicate. The next critical stage is scheduled for October 7 or 8, when the Chamber will hold a final vote, also via secret ballot. Opposition parties continue to contest the reform, citing concerns over the method, timing, and the impact of the majority premium.

Separately, the Social Affairs Commission of the Chamber has accepted a petition from the National Federation of Orders of Technical, Rehabilitation, and Prevention Health Professions (Fno Tsrm e Pstrp). The petition, which gathered over 12,000 signatures, seeks to permanently abolish the exclusivity constraint for approximately 350,000 healthcare professionals, allowing them to work outside their official shifts.