[JURIST] The Italian Senate [official website; Wikipedia backgrounder] passed a bill [press release; legislative materials, in Italian] Wednesday that would increase the number of women elected to parliament. If the bill becomes law, it would require that females make up one third of all national election candidates. Women currently make up only ten percent of the legislature in Italy, one of the lowest percentages in the European Union.

Although the bill, known as the "quota rosa," or "pink quota" passed with an overwhelming majority in the Senate, it is not likely that it will be approved by the Chamber of Deputies [official website; English version] in time for the April 9 general elections, because the legislative calendar for the Chamber has already closed, and Parliament will adjourn this weekend. Stefania Prestigiacomo [profile], Italy's minister for equal opportunities, said that the Senate's passage of the bill is symbolic, and will hopefully pass on the commitment to the next parliament. AP has more.