The Senate has approved the centre-right’s amendment: a fixed lead candidate and up to three preferences with alternating genders. Earlier in the day, the government had rejected the opposition’s sub-amendment regarding unrestricted preferences.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her senators had indicated they were open to the possibility of voting in favour of the bill proposed by the Democrats and the broad coalition. Matteo Salvini and Antonio Tajani were opposed. Following a meeting between the parties’ negotiators, the agreement prevented the majority from collapsing

In the Senate, a vote is taking place on the amendment regarding preferential votes, but the President of the Senate is allowing the opposition to table sub-amendments, and the opposition is calling for them to be extended. The Democratic Party’s group leader said: “The Prime Minister must demonstrate consistency. Let’s remove the ‘locked’ list leaders. But will Forza Italia and the League agree?”

The Senate meeting on the electoral law turns into yet another trial for the secretary. Minister Zangrillo: “We cannot become the party of village festivals.” List of dissidents at the Campania congress

The Council of Ministers has approved a fuel discount – 17 cents off diesel – but a decree mandates the closure of the blast furnace. The row between FdI and Forza Italia over wiretaps and party preferences continues. The confessions of the FI leader

The Prime Minister calls for “loyalty” and insists on her preferences, against the wishes of the Forza Italia Deputy Prime Minister (who relents) and the Berlusconis. The League warns: “Either we give in, or Meloni will go to the polls on her own. Or with Vannacci.”

Allies who cannot tolerate one another, opposition parties rebelling against what they actually need, and a government refusing to take the path that would steer them clear of the quagmire: voting. The electoral law is a farce. Welcome to the bar-style festival of hypocrisy

The former Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies says: “It is right to ask people to vote for candidates, especially for a government that wanted to introduce the office of Prime Minister. But you can’t tell the turkeys to bring Christmas forward. The opposition parties have played dirty.”