Melon Government Seeks Reform of the Political System

Italian Prime Minister Mellon's government is seeking to repair the Italian political system by introducing two major reforms, including the prime minister's direct election and power transfer to Italy's regional authorities.

Melon's right-wing coalition has postponed two key reforms, requiring revision of the Italian constitution. One is the direct election of the Italian prime minister, an ambitious project that has ever been tested in Israel alone, which won the Senate's approval on Tuesday.

The other is giving Italy's regions more political power, whose consolidation resulted in a clash in the Italian parliament.

The reform, which would transfer power to regional authorities, became law Wednesday. It was one of the main proposals of the League party with Matteo Salvin trying to regain support in some of its northern basins.

Not only did the law cause a clash in parliament but it drew broader criticism that it would deepen the division between the country's rich north and the poorest south.

Melon's government advocates proposed constitutional changes as a means to achieve government stability, strengthen the prime minister's role and allow Italians to say more than who governs their country.

A prime minister's direct choice is unusual only Israel has tried and failed to introduce such a system in the 1990s.

The amendment to Italy's constitution is a long process in which both chambers of parliament must approve the change twice with a two-thirds majority needed for the last two votes.