India, Oct. 9 -- Italy's Parliament gave final approval Thursday to a sweeping overhaul of the country's electoral system, handing Premier Giorgia Meloni a key political victory while setting up a likely constitutional battle over the reform.

The proposal - dubbed by supporters and critics alike the "Stabilicum" or "Melonellum" - is widely viewed as an attempt to strengthen Italy's political system while improving the electoral prospects of the centre-right coalition led by Meloni, which last month celebrated its record as Italy's longest-serving Government since WWII.

Supporters say the law is designed to produce clearer election winners and more stable governments in a country known for frequent changes of administration. But the cent...