Forza Italia (FI) is now ready to debate changes to the electoral law which would mean an increase to proportional representation, announced the prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi. When asked if there was enough time left for parliament to come to an agreement on the matter, Berlusconi explained, "I don't think it's a question of time. Rather", he added, "it's a case of whether everyone gets together to deal with the matter. We are definitely not in favour of doing this because the matter has already been debated with no positive solutions, other than a change to the political majority proportionally.
"Now we are talking of something different", the premier continued, "i.e. increasing the proportional representation. As has always been the case in recent years, we are obviously open to a thorough examination of any proposals that come from any of the coalition parties. We are continuing to be positive and constructive," he concluded.
"Now we are talking of something different", the premier continued, "i.e. increasing the proportional representation. As has always been the case in recent years, we are obviously open to a thorough examination of any proposals that come from any of the coalition parties. We are continuing to be positive and constructive," he concluded.
Election Day '09 was a roller-coaster for election reformers. Instant runoff voting had a great night in Minnesota, where St. Paul voters chose to implement IRV for its city elections, and Minneapolis voters used IRV for the first time—with local media touting it as a big success. As the Star-Tribune noted in endorsing IRV for St. Paul, Tuesday’s elections give the Twin Cities a chance to show the whole state of Minnesota the benefits of adopting IRV. There were disappointments in Lowell and Pierce County too, but high-profile multi-candidate races in New Jersey and New York keep policymakers focused on ways to reform elections; the Baltimore Sun and Miami Herald were among many newspapers publishing commentary from FairVote board member and former presidential candidate John Anderson on how IRV can mitigate the problems of plurality elections.