La Russa: 'Every vote can have political consequences, but no no-confidence motion'

Ignazio La Russa, the President of the Italian Senate, addressed the recent setback in parliament regarding electoral law preferences, emphasizing that the vote, while politically significant, did not constitute a vote of no confidence in the government. He described the amendment's defeat as a parliamentary decision, not a challenge to the executive's stability.

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It was a vote at risk, it has always been known.

La Russa explained that the amendment in question was primarily supported by Fratelli d'Italia and Noi Moderati, and importantly, was not part of the majority's original text. He defended the concept of electoral preferences, arguing for the people's right to choose their representatives, while also acknowledging concerns about transparency. He suggested that the government's decision to give a favorable opinion on the amendment, given its limited support, might have been a misstep.

He further elaborated that the rejection of the preferences amendment does not invalidate the core of the electoral law itself, as the main text was not defeated. La Russa pointed out that the Senate operates under different rules than the Chamber of Deputies, specifically regarding secret ballots. He believes that a public vote in the Senate on such a matter would likely yield a different result, preventing the kind of "swamp" or manipulation he alluded to.

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No, it is not an act of no confidence, but every vote can cause political consequences.

Looking ahead, La Russa indicated that the government must decide on the next steps. He noted that the constitutional framework allows for the proposal to be reintroduced in a similar form in the Senate, where he anticipates a different outcome due to the absence of secret voting and the public nature of the proceedings.

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In the Senate, the rules are different from those of the Chamber: on this matter, there is no secret ballot, and the amendment on preferences would have passed.