Prime Minister, what does “the mother of all reforms”

The bill landed in the Senate after 6 months in the Constitutional Affairs Committee. Point for everything, what would change

ROME – The Premier Bill, considered the ‘mother of all Reforms’ by Giorgia Meloni, has recently landed in the Chamber of the Senate after the examination by the Constitutional Affairs commission of Palazzo Madama which lasted about six months. The provision, which arrived slightly modified compared to the Government’s original text, is now awaited by over three thousand amendments from the opposition, which announces battle, inside and outside Parliament.

THE DIRECT ELECTION OF THE PREMIER

The heart of the reform, which modifies articles 59, 88, 92 and 94 of the Constitution, is the election of the Prime Minister, voted directly by the citizens, for a mandate of 5 years. Thus the prime minister would no longer receive the office from the President of the Republic on the basis of the electoral result and would have a limit of two terms.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC

The President of the Republic, upon proposal of the Head of Government, may appoint or dismiss ministers. Still with regards to the powers of the Head of State, the text provides forthe abolition of the blank semester. The Quirinale will therefore be able to dissolve the Chambers even in the final 6 months of his mandate. Finally, the President of the Republic will no longer be able to appoint senators for life.

THE MAJORITY PRIZE

A burning issue, which will certainly be the subject of heated debates in the Chamber, is the majority prize for the winning coalition in the polls. Initially expected at 55%, it was then revised in the commission. The hypothesis currently on the table is that of a run-off for the two prime minister candidates who will obtain the most votes and who would not reach the minimum threshold of 42-44%. The issue will however be regulated by the new electoral law which, in the majority’s plans, should be discussed and approved after the first reading of the bill. In fact, constitutional amendment bills require double reading by both Chambers. Therefore, between the first and second reading, there would be room for the definition of the new electoral law.

THE POSITION OF THE OPPOSITIONS

The ball is now in the senators’ court. The opposition parties have promised battle with the avalanche of amendments presented in the Chamber and street protests. The Dem secretary, Elly Schlein, has announced one in Rome for June 2, Republic Day. Prime Minister Meloni, for her part, does not seem to fear the possibility of giving the citizens the floor. In fact, if the reform is not approved by at least two thirds of the representatives in Parliament, the confirmatory referendum will decide.