Italian Senate Approves Direct Election Constitutional Reform

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government has secured the Italian Senate's approval for a controversial constitutional reform allowing for the direct election of the Prime Minister. The reform entails electing the Prime Minister directly by the people for a five-year term and introducing a majority bonus of 55 percent for the most voted party to ensure a comfortable majority in both chambers. Despite the Senate's approval, the reform faces challenges in the Chamber of Deputies and potential referendum due to the requirement of a two-thirds majority for constitutional amendments. The proposed reform aims to address Italy's historical political instability, with critics expressing concerns about potential chaos and reduced crisis response flexibility. Opposition parties have protested the reform, emphasizing the need to unite against the government's plans, highlighting deep divisions and criticisms within Italian politics.