Meloni clears first hurdle for controversial electoral reform

Italy’s lower house approved Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s controversial electoral reform, which replaces the current mixed system with full proportionality and guarantees a governing majority to any coalition securing over 42% of the vote. Opposition parties criticized the reform as a power grab, with Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein accusing Meloni of betraying Italians. The law now moves to the Senate for final approval.