Center-left Premier Matteo
Renzi celebrated Tuesday after the Senate approved the
government's 'Italicum' electoral reform bill with 184 votes in
favor, 66 nays and 2 abstaining.
The vote came amid rowdy protests from the leftwing Left
Ecology Freedom (SEL) party, the maverick 5-Star Movement (M5S),
and the regionalist, rightwing Northern League, causing
proceedings to be suspended 10 minutes.
Not taking part in the vote were 24 Senators from the
premier's Democratic Party (PD), which apparently did not dampen
the spirits of the young reformist premier as he tweeted
jubilantly: "courage pays off".
"Reforms are moving forward," Renzi added in the post on
his Twitter account.
"It seemed impossible a few months ago, yet the electoral
law is OK even in the Senate," posted Reforms Minister Maria
Elena Boschi on her Twitter feed.
The hotly contested bill would replace the system that
contributed to the inconclusive outcome to the 2013 general
election, and was subsequently declared unconstitutional.
The Italicum is the result of a deal between Renzi and ex
center-right premier Silvio Berlusconi, a fact which has
produced growing discomfort within the ranks of both leaders'
parties since it was first announced early in 2013.
It would among other provisions award bonus seats to the
party that garners at least 40% of the vote to ensure it has a
working majority in parliament. There will be a run-off vote for
a package of bonus seats worth 15% if no single coalition
reaches the 40% threshold in the first round of voting.
The amended Italicum bill now goes back to the Lower House
for another reading.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
