Italian Senate quadruples ballot signature rules to 6,000 per district for new parties

Senate approves higher ballot threshold

On 11 September 2026, the Italian Senate approved an amendment to the electoral reform bill with 87 votes in favour. Sponsored by Fratelli d'Italia senator Antonella Zedda, the measure quadruples the number of signatures required for extra-parliamentary parties to run in general elections. The threshold increases from 1,500 to 6,000 physical signatures per constituency. Lawmakers in the upper house will vote on remaining amendments on 14 September, followed by a final Senate vote on 15 September. The legislation will then move to the Chamber of Deputies for a scheduled final vote on 28 September.

Competing threshold proposals and exemptions

The adopted 6,000-signature requirement represents a compromise within the ruling centre-right coalition. Forza Italia had initially pushed for a higher barrier of 9,000 signatures per constituency, which would have increased the previous requirement sixfold. Party leaders argued that strict verification prevents the creation of frivolous or decoy lists designed to manipulate the electoral system. Existing political forces retain exemptions under the rules, including parties with two parliamentary groups or at least one group established before 31 December 2025, such as Italia Viva or Azione. Forza Italia leader Antonio Tajani defended the increased requirement as a necessary test of public backing.

To compete in elections, you need grassroots consensus. To enter parliament, putting a symbol is not enough; what is the guarantee of seriousness and reliability? There must be consensus. I believe it is right to require signatures to demonstrate that whoever participates represents something.

Opposition leaders mount legal and street challenge

Opposition parties reacted immediately against the measure, calling it an attempt to lock out new political competitors. Five Star Movement leader Giuseppe Conte urged head of state Sergio Mattarella to intervene against the legislation, arguing that past reform movements would never have gained parliamentary access under such conditions. Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein confirmed that left-leaning opposition groups will coordinate resistance against the electoral provisions during subsequent parliamentary stages. Alessandro Onorato, leader of Progetto Civico Italia and a Rome city assessor, announced a public demonstration outside Palazzo Madama. Onorato stated that requiring new parties to collect approximately 378,000 signatures in 15 days constitutes an artificial barrier.

The rule on collecting signatures for small political groups is built to protect the establishment already in parliament. I ask President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella to block this rule, which is a disgrace.

Calculations and strategic doubts among extra-parliamentary groups

Non-parliamentary parties across the political spectrum reported severe administrative burdens resulting from the 6,000-signature threshold. Marco Rizzo of the sovereignist movement Italia Domani calculated that his organisation would need 442,000 physical signatures to secure ballot spots across constituencies. Communist Refoundation Party leaders Maurizio Acerbo and Gianluca Schiavon described the requirement as an unreachable obstacle for grassroots campaigns. Within the ruling majority, some Fratelli d'Italia strategists expressed concern that the rule could backfire. They noted that blocking ballot access for new splinter movements, such as a potential initiative linked to Beppe Grillo, could consolidate votes behind the main left coalition rather than fracturing it.