Talk:Parliament of Italy

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I found the order of this article, which has clearly been changed due to recent changes in electoral law, to be confusing.

Beyond this, I was very disappointed because the article pretty much only deals with the method of electing parliament. I came here from the Italian government page looking for some answers to questions that I had about the Italian use of bicameralism. In most countries (the most notable exception being the US) with bicameral legislatures, control of the upper chamber is of little consequence. But in today's news stories about the Italian elections, it was clear that control of the Senate IS important in Italy, at least this year. I would like to know something about the powers of the Senate, and why it matters who wins it. Unschool 13:11, 11 April 2006 (UTC)

Italian system is the so-called "perfect bicameralism" (bicameralismo perfetto): the two Houses have the same exact funtion: every law must pass both Houses with the same text. This was due to prevent the insurgence of any form dictatorial government: the 1948 Republican Constitution was written after 20 years of fascist dictatorship ended with WW II. As both Houses must support the Government, it is easy to understand why the Senate is of no less importance than the House of Deputies. Gbnogkfs 7 May 2006, 20:38 (UT)

Thank you. Sounds rather similar to the American system, then, insofar as actual legislation is concerned. But then, how is the premiership determined? What if different parties control the two houses? Unschool 02:30, 11 May 2006 (UTC)

While US is a Presidential Republic (the Government depends upon the President), Italy (and many European Countries, in fact) is a Parliamentary Republic: the President of the Republic hears the representative of the parliamentary groups and officially appoints a government: this is a rather ceremonial power, as the Government must immediately present to both Houses to receive confidence, and that's in fact where the real power lies. The President of the Republic is the Caretaker of the Contitution, not an active political figure. Tipically, the representatives of the parties that have won the elections ask the President to appoint the coalition leader (in this elections Romano Prodi) which is then the nominated Prime minister and indicates the list of ministers to the President.

In this case, as the end of the 7-year mandate of the President was coincident with the Parliamentary elections (a legislature is normally 5 years in Italy), the Parliament had first to elect a new President of the Republic before the Government could be formed.

For what happens if no coalition wins both Houses, see my reply here under :) Gbnogkfs 15 May 2006, 10:36 (UTC)

Contents 1 Votes of Confidence 2 Move Parliament of Italy to Italian Parliament 2.1 Survey 2.1.1 Survey - in support of the move 2.1.2 Survey - in opposition to the move 2.2 Discussion

[edit] Votes of Confidence

I know that with Italy's proportional/additional member system it is unlikely, but what would happen if the two houses had majorities from different parties/coalitions? Italy is the only country I have heard of where the prime minister needs the confidence of two separate non-figurehead legislative houses. My guess is that a new election would have to be called, and/or some ugly super-coalition government would be formed. Xyzzyva 00:27, 30 April 2006 (UTC)

Your ugly guess is right. It never happened, however. The old christian-democratic party with some minor ally has always had majority from 1948 to 1992 with the old simply poportional electoral system. There were no real coalitions, but alliances that formed after the vote between Christian-Democrats and some other (small) party. Turmoils were everyday's news, and the Governments were made and unmade at terrific rate after some small fact changed the equilibrium of the unstable coalition: Italy is famous for having changed more than 50 Governments in its first 50 years of Republic. After the end of the cold war, from 1994 Italy has had a 2 coalition system of parties; in the four elections in 1994, 1996, 2001 and 2006 right and left have had alternated victories. in 1995 (after the first Berlusconi Government lost the confidence) we've had a short "technical" largely sustained Government for some months before new elections in 1996. This double confidence system may end during this legislature due either to the incoming (25 June) referendum over a constitutional reform adopted in 2005 in the last legislature, or to other changes made up by the new majority. Gbnogkfs 11 May 2006, 0:15 (UTC)

[edit] Move Parliament of Italy to Italian Parliament