Overview
- The Chamber of Deputies gave first‑reading approval to the Stabilicum on July 16 with 217 votes in favor, 152 against and 2 abstentions, completing a secret‑ballot passage that confirmed the text's main provisions.
- The approved text creates a proportional system with a majority prize of 70 deputies and 35 senators for a list or coalition that wins at least 42% of the vote, requires coalitions to name a candidate for prime minister when filing lists, and keeps closed lists so voters cannot express candidate preferences.
- Parliament inserted a fuorisede rule allowing temporarily domiciled voters to cast ballots where they reside after a minimum period, and an anti‑fragmentation clause that excludes votes from lists under 3% (unless they are the 'best loser') from the coalition total, a change that benefits larger and better organised parties and some centrist groups.
- The secret ballot rejection of the preferences amendment exposed sharp tensions inside the governing centre‑right, centred on Roberto Vannacci and Futuro Nazionale, and parties are now weighing whether to reintroduce preferences in the Senate where votes are public.
- Next steps: the bill moves to Palazzo Madama for hearings and open votes this autumn, where amendments could force a return to the Chamber and delay final approval, while parties debate coalition strategy and the timing of possible national elections.