Italy's Constitutional Court on Jan. 17 rejected a proposed referendum to replace the current voting system, dealing a blow to the League party, which would have benefited from the move, Reuters reported.

The decision reportedly reduces the possibility of a center-right bloc, led by League, securing a majority in the next poll and adding pressure on the Italian government.

League sought to introduce a "first past the post" system, replacing the country's existing mixed voting system that includes proportional voting, Reuters said.