Italy's Chamber of Deputies approves new electoral law; heads to Senate amid opposition protests

Italy's Chamber of Deputies has approved a new electoral law, advancing it to the Senate for further consideration. The vote saw 217 deputies in favor, 152 against, and 2 abstentions, with the final vote conducted by secret ballot.

The approval was met with strong opposition. Opposition lawmakers displayed protest signs in the chamber, denouncing the law as a "fraudulent law" and demanding the government's resignation. They argued that the majority supporting the bill was no longer legitimate.

Prominent opposition figures voiced sharp criticism. Democratic Party secretary Elly Schlein accused Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of betraying Italians and prioritizing her own political ambitions, including a potential move to the presidency, over pressing national issues like workplace deaths, poverty, and heatwaves. She characterized the law as unconstitutional and a "last-minute" maneuver driven by fear of electoral defeat.

Other opposition leaders echoed these sentiments. Giuseppe Conte described the law as a "fraudulent law" designed to ensure "immovability" rather than stability, while others like Nicola Fratoianni criticized it as a reform that removes Parliament's central role. Matteo Richetti of Azione suggested that while dialogue is needed, this law falls short, and others like Magi labeled it an "electoral coup d'état" paving the way for a regime.