Camera approves new electoral law with 42% majority bonus

The Italian Chamber of Deputies has passed a new electoral law, voting 227 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, they receive an additional 70 seats in the Chamber and 35 seats in the Senate. This bonus caps the total number of deputies at 220 and senators at 113, representing 55% and 56.5% of the seats in each house, respectively. If no group reaches the 42% mark, 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. Constitutional experts have noted potential legal challenges regarding these changes, as well as the varying number of signatures required for different groups to submit candidate lists.