Electoral law: final vote in the Chamber, Meloni focuses on strategic voting

The electoral reform, renamed 'Stabilicum' or 'Melonellum,' has reached the Chamber for the final definitive approval, expected by October 8th. The government has called a vote of confidence on the two articles of the law. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni warned that any "tricks" in the two secret votes (on the constitutional objections and the final one) would lead directly to the polls under the current system, the Rosatellum.

The reform introduces a majority bonus that is triggered if a coalition exceeds 42% of the votes. Meloni is banking on the useful vote strategy to curb the rise of Roberto Vannacci's Futuro Nazionale and surpass that threshold. The latest Ipsos poll places the center-right without Vannacci at 39.4%, while Vannacci's party is at 8.8%.

The discussion on a new electoral law stems from the desire of the center-right majority to modify the current system, the Rosatellum, which they argue does not ensure government stability. The reform, called 'Stabilicum,' was conceived before the rise of the Vannacci phenomenon and his party, National Future, which now polls above 8%, drawing support primarily from the League.

The main innovation is the majority bonus, which allocates a fixed package of seats (70 deputies and 35 senators) to the coalition that exceeds 42% of the vote, up to a maximum of 55-57% of the seats. Another key rule requires indicating the prime ministerial candidate at the time of submitting the lists, a move that creates tensions in the opposition, forcing the Democratic Party and the Five Star Movement into potentially divisive primaries. The law also sets a 3% electoral threshold and includes provisions that make it difficult for new parties without parliamentary representation to participate.