Camera approves new electoral law with 42% majority bonus

The Italian Chamber of Deputies has passed a new electoral law with 227 votes in favor and 164 against. The law establishes a proportional system that includes a majority bonus for the most voted list or coalition, provided they receive at least 42% of valid votes in both houses of Parliament.

If a coalition reaches this 42% threshold, the bonus grants an additional 70 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and 35 seats in the Senate. This brings the total number of deputies to a maximum of 220 and senators to 113, representing 55% and 56.5% of the seats in each respective house. If no group reaches the 42% requirement, seats will be distributed using only the proportional method.

The law reduces overseas constituencies from eight to three and creates a single global constituency for the Senate. Legal challenges are expected regarding these changes, as well as the requirements for submitting signatures to present candidate lists. Constitutional experts have noted potential issues regarding the disparity between the zero signatures required for parties already in Parliament and the higher number required for new political groups.