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Meloni government loses key electoral reform vote by one seat
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Elections & Politics

Meloni government loses key electoral reform vote by one seat

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government narrowly lost a key vote on electoral law reform in the Chamber of Deputies.
  • The amendment failed by a single vote, 187 to 188, raising concerns about Meloni's parliamentary majority and the bill's progression.
  • Opposition leaders called for the government's resignation, framing the vote as a no-confidence motion.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government suffered a significant setback Tuesday as a crucial amendment to her electoral law reform was defeated by a single vote in the Chamber of Deputies. The amendment, which proposed electoral lists with protected lead candidates and others subject to voter preference, failed with 187 votes in favor and 188 against.

The Government has failed. It is time for them to leave and give the country a government capable of solving the Italians' problems.

— Elly SchleinThe secretary of the main opposition party, the Democratic Party (PD), exulted from her seat after the vote.

The narrow loss sent shockwaves through the parliamentary chamber, with opposition parties erupting in celebration. Elly Schlein, leader of the Democratic Party, declared the government had "failed" and called for its resignation. The vote's outcome casts doubt on the future of the electoral reform bill and Meloni's ability to maintain a stable parliamentary majority.

The reform, pushed by Meloni's right-wing coalition, is seen by the opposition as an attempt to secure power beyond the 2027 general elections. Even some of Meloni's coalition partners reportedly had reservations about certain aspects of the bill, including the amendment that was ultimately defeated. The opposition's strategy to request a secret ballot for this specific amendment appears to have been successful in exposing dissent within the ruling bloc.

take responsibility of their own decisions

— Giuseppe ConteThe leader of the opposition 5 Star Movement urged the executive to act.

Giuseppe Conte, leader of the 5 Star Movement, urged the executive to "take responsibility" and suggested the vote constituted a "motion of censure." Galeazzo Bignami, a close ally of Meloni and spokesperson for Brothers of Italy, criticized the deputies who voted anonymously, calling them "cowards" for not acting openly. The incident highlights potential fractures within the government coalition as it navigates this contentious legislative period.

You are the example of the cowardice of those who are incapable of acting with their faces uncovered. The difference is between those who take responsibility and those who hide. Let's move forward with the votes

— Galeazzo BignamiThe spokesperson for Brothers of Italy and Meloni's right-hand man reacted furiously to the result, criticizing deputies who voted anonymously.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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