Luiss Open: Italy now risks taking a step backward on electoral law
Question: The chairman of the Chamber of Deputies' Constitutional Affairs Committee, Giuseppe Brescia (M5s), has submitted a proposal to reform the electoral law, which seems to have the support of the entire majority. First of all, could you help us understand which bill we're talking about?
D'Alimonte. A proportional system with a 5% threshold. At the same time, the system grants a “right to representation” to parties that, while not surpassing 5% of the national vote, demonstrate a significant regional presence in certain areas of the country. The proposal does not include preferential voting. Votes will be converted into seats based on the national result, which is then “applied” to the seats actually allocated to the constituencies in the Chamber of Deputies and to the regions in the Senate.
Question: Some politicians have dubbed this electoral system the “Germanicum”…
D'Alimonte. A nickname that is, at the very least, misleading. It could serve to elevate the text by associating it with Germany's electoral system. Unfortunately, the law in Germany is vastly different. While both systems have a threshold, it’s notably harder to secure the “right to stand” in Berlin. Furthermore, it’s significant that in the Eurozone’s leading economy, half of the parliamentarians are elected in single-member constituencies—proportional, yet still effective in candidate selection. However, single-member constituencies are completely eliminated by this bill. It doesn’t even resemble the Spanish model, which had been mentioned in recent weeks, since seats are allocated at the national level rather than by district. Let's call it more simply, and more honestly, “Brescianellum,” after the 5 Star Movement parliamentarian who submitted this proposal.