Broad coalition files constitutional challenges to Italy's new electoral law
Legal appeals contesting the Melonellum electoral reform have been lodged in every Italian appellate court, with signatures from figures such as Romano Prodi and former Constitutional Court president Ugo De Siervo.
A coordinated legal offensive against Italy’s newly enacted Melonellum electoral law is now underway, with appeals filed in every appellate district. Organized by Roberto Zaccaria and constitutional experts such as Enrico Grosso, the petitions outline eight specific constitutional flaws, ranging from the majority bonus and altered representation to the mandatory listing of a prime-ministerial candidate and gender-balance provisions.
High-profile signatories include former prime minister Romano Prodi, former Constitutional Court president Ugo De Siervo, Pierluigi Bersani, Rosy Bindi, Livia Turco, as well as prominent writers, artists and scholars. The swift signature of the law by President Sergio Mattarella is seen by Zaccaria as potentially expediting the Constitutional Court’s review, which he hopes may be concluded by the end of March. The appeals now await assessment by the Corte Costituzionale, which will decide whether to refer the matter to the Consulta for a definitive ruling.
Why it matters
The outcome could reshape Italy's electoral system and affect future parliamentary representation.
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