- Meloni put forth a constitutional amendment that would allow for the premier to be elected directly.
- The PM is using the ongoing political unrest that has shaken the country for the past ten years to defend the decision.
- Meloni’s party lacks the necessary two-thirds majority in both chambers of parliament
On Friday, October 3, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni put forth a constitutional amendment that would allow for the premier to be elected directly.
The PM is using the ongoing political unrest that has shaken the country for the past ten years to defend the decision. Shortly following a cabinet meeting where the bill was introduced, Meloni’s office told the media, “This is the mother of all reforms.”
A constitutional amendment
According to the statement from the PM office, that would support “the stability of the government and (its) political direction”.
The seventh Italian government in a decade, led by Meloni, is making an effort to quell the political unrest in the nation. Under the current system, a party list is chosen to lead the government and to maintain governability, the prime minister’s list must secure at least 55% of the seats in parliament.
Should the prime minister need to be replaced, it can only be done so by a majority member of parliament to maintain the current government agenda.
Parliament may dissolve and new elections may be necessary if the prime minister is the target of two consecutive votes of no confidence. This might reduce the president’s authority—he or she currently can dissolve parliament and name a prime minister.
Furthermore, Meloni’s reform limits the chance of naming a technocrat—such as Mario Draghi—as prime minister in hard times. But this bill’s chances of passing are doubtful because Meloni’s party lacks the necessary two-thirds majority in both chambers of parliament or a referendum approval to change the constitution.
