The government received the first two votes - with 226 and 227 yes - on the reform of the electoral law, giving another proof of unity even if this time in the open vote. Green light, therefore, pending the final vote, for the changes introduced at Palazzo Madama to the text on the first two articles of the reform, concerning, among other things, the introduction of preferences for the Chamber and the Senate and the modification of the collection of signatures.
There are very few and justified absences from the centre-right benches which, at this point, are looking towards next Thursday's secret vote with increasingly positive expectations. The fact that the reform will be approved is also now taken into account by the centre-left which is already looking to the Consulta but does not, however, stop fighting in the Chamber and making appeals to the centre-right to reconsider. Words like those addressed by Action MP Elena Bonetti to her centre-right colleagues: "They want to expel women from Parliament, say no to this massacre". This law "betrays women and gives Parliament a slap in the face", also attacking the Dem group leader Chiara Braga in the Chamber. The clash is also about the use of the instrument of trust and on the centre-right - which recalls the precedents on Italicum and Rosatellum - the wide camp replies by recalling Meloni's fiery words at the time, as does the pentastellate Vittoria Baldino: "'If you don't trust the votes of your parliamentarians, how can you ask for the vote of the Italians?' Who said that? Spoiler...Not Giuseppe Conte, not Elly Schlein but Giorgia Meloni" in his speech on the trust placed by the Gentiloni government on the electoral law.
Meanwhile, continuing his battle inside and outside the Chamber is Riccardo Magi, the secretary of +Europa, who has reached the seventh day of his hunger strike. Giorgia Meloni, as he himself says, sent him a message to ask about his health conditions. "It is positive that the Prime Minister is seeking a channel of dialogue with us - he observes - although at the moment we do not find any openness on the part of the government on the issue of signatures. For this reason, also in light of the positive parameters relating to my state of health found following a visit with Dr Claudio Santini, I will continue with the non-violent initiative". The secretary of +Europa, like other centre-left colleagues, presented an agenda to ask for the activation of digital subscriptions, as happened for the referendum. It remains to be seen how the majority will orient themselves on this point. As well as on the other agendas, 41 in total, of which 7 from Futuro Nazionale which, among other things, propose the theme of preferences without blocked list leaders.
The agenda will be voted on in the afternoon after the call on article 3 (which modifies the constituencies of Merano, Bressanone and Bolzano from a territorial point of view) and the vote on article 8 concerning the extension of non-resident voting to caregivers.
All eyes obviously remain on Thursday. The majority seems to be able to count on a unity that it has demonstrated today too. Only six, all things considered and with the tabulations in hand, were the absences in these hours. Among others, in addition to the prime minister, the ministers Giancarlo Giorgetti and Francesco Lollobrigida were on the mission. For the rest, still full in the Chamber at Montecitorio with two FdI deputies, Francesco Mura and Nicole Matteoni, arriving to vote on crutches. The call to arms, therefore, has worked so far and the fears of the majority seem to be more like superstition than anything else.
"They are all afraid - a Vannacciano member of Parliament caustic observes in Transatlantico - and therefore nothing will happen, just as nothing would have happened in July if Meloni had said before the vote on preferences that in the event of defeat she would go to Colle...".
