Italy's 5-Stars denounce new election bill as undemocratic

ROME – The lower chamber of Italy's Parliament has begun voting on a proposed election law that aims to make the country more governable by encouraging coalition-building, especially among smaller parties.

Major parties on the left and right are backing the law, which calls for a combination of seats assigned by a majority system based on colleges and proportional voting.

But it is bitterly opposed by the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement, Italy's largest opposition party in Parliament. It has denounced the proposed law as undemocratic

The 5-Stars have ruled out forming alliances and could be penalized by the new system, whereas small, likeminded parties could band together.

The 5-Stars were particularly irked because the ruling Democratic Party put the measure up to a confidence vote Wednesday to ensure unity.