Italian Senate Concludes Electoral Law Review Amid Protests Over Signature Requirements

The Italian Senate has concluded its examination of amendments to the electoral law reform. The text will now return to the Chamber of Deputies for final confirmation of modifications, including changes to preferences and signature requirements. The government aims for final approval by mid October, before the budget session begins. The Chamber of Deputies is scheduled to begin discussions on September 28, where the government may use a vote of confidence to expedite the process.

A major point of contention is the requirement for new parties to collect at least 450,000 signatures to run in both the Chamber and the Senate. This measure quadruples the number of signatures previously required for those not already present in Parliament. Protesters, including Alessandro Onorato of Progetto Civico Italia and M5S leader Giuseppe Conte, have denounced the rule as undemocratic and unconstitutional. While the center right framing suggests the measure is a standard barrier for new lists, a center right outlet notes suspicions from excluded parties that the rule protects established centrist interests. Minister of Reforms Elisabetta Casellati has stated that changes to this provision are not currently planned.

Opposition leaders, including the Democratic Party's Francesco Boccia, have indicated they will appeal to the Constitutional Court if their concerns are ignored. They argue that a ruling should ideally be reached before the dissolution of the Chambers to avoid a delegitimized Parliament. Additionally, the Senate approved the reduction of overseas electoral districts from four to two for the Chamber and from four to one for the Senate. This specific change reportedly caused some friction within the majority, specifically among members of Fratelli d'Italia.

Other approved measures include an exemption from signature collection for those who have a group in at least one of the two Chambers as of December 31, 2025. The final vote in the Chamber may involve a secret ballot, which some majority members warn could risk the failure of the entire bill.