Italy’s Senate is not likely to debate a new hate crime law to protect LGBT+ people and women until early next year, despite it securing a big majority in the Chamber of Deputies.
The bill passed by 265 votes to 130 in the 630-member chamber on 4 November. It makes violence against women and LGBT+ people a hate crime for the first time in Italy.
Offenders will face up to four years in jail. However, it needs approval from the Senate – the upper house of Italian Parliament.
And while the measure should also command a majority in the Senate, vocal and powerful hate groups may delay or even derail it.