Since 2012,
Lombardy adopted its own legislation to elect its
regional council, which is similar to the national Tatarella Law of 1995. While the
president of Lombardy and the
leader of the opposition are still elected
at-large, 78 councilors are elected by
party lists under a form of
semi-proportional representation. The winning coalition receives a jackpot of at least 45 seats, which are divided between all
majority parties using the
D'Hondt method, as it happens between the losing lists. Each party then distributes its seats to its provincial lists, where candidates are selected through
open lists. According to the Law 17 February 1968, no. 108, the Regional Council is elected every five years. The election can take place no earlier than the fourth Sunday before the completion of this five years period and no later than 60 days after that date. == Political parties and candidates ==