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Italy has been a democratic republic since June 2, 1946, when the monarchy was abolished by popular referendum (see Birth of the Italian Republic). The constitution was promulgated on January 1, 1948.The Italian State is highly centralized, with a central state authority (the Government), 20 regions and about a hundred provinces. The prefect of each of the provinces is appointed by and answerable to the central government, which he locally represents.
The national constitution provides for 20 regions with limited governing powers. Five regions ( Sardinia, Sicily, Trentino-Alto Adige, Valle d'Aosta, and Friuli-Venezia Giulia) have special autonomy statutes. The other 15 regions were established in 1970 and vote for regional "councils." The establishment of regional governments throughout Italy has brought some decentralization to the national governmental machinery.
The 1948 constitution established a bicameral parliament ( Chamber of DeputiesThe Chamber of Deputies is the name given to the lower house of the bicameral legislatures of the following states: Argentina Argentine Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados) Belgium Chamber of Deputies of Belgium (Chambre des Representants / Kamer van and SenateThe Italian Senate is one of the two houses of the Italian parliament. The Senate includes 315 elected members (elected for a maximum of 5 years), of whom six represent Italians residing overseas. According to special constitutional provisions, former pre), a separate judiciary, and an executive branch composed of a Council of Ministers (cabinet), headed by the president of the council ( prime minister). The president of the republic is elected for 7 years by the parliament sitting jointly with a small number of regional delegates. The president nominates the prime minister, who proposes the other ministers (formally named by the president). The Council of Ministers (mostly, but not necessarily composed of members of parliament) must retain the confidence (Fiducia) of both houses.
The houses of parliament are popularly and directly elected by a mixed majoritarian and proportional representation system. Under 19931993 is a common year starting on Friday and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003 Events January January 1 Czechoslovakia divides. Establishment of independent Slovakia and Czech Republic. legislationLegislation refers to the set of statutory laws in a state. Legislation is passed by a legislature and, in some states, must also be confirmed by the executive. When a bill becomes a law the law is said to be 'promulgated' or 'enacted'. For information on, Italy has single-member districts for 75% of the seats in parliament; the remaining 25% of seats are allotted on a proportional basis. The Chamber of Deputies has 630 members, of whom twelve represent Italians residing overseas. The SenateThe Italian Senate is one of the two houses of the Italian parliament. The Senate includes 315 elected members (elected for a maximum of 5 years), of whom six represent Italians residing overseas. According to special constitutional provisions, former pre includes 315 elected members, of whom six represent Italians residing overseas, former presidents and several other persons appointed for life according to special constitutional provisions. Both houses are elected for a maximum of 5 years, but either may be dissolved before the expiration of its normal term. Legislative bills may originate in either house and must be passed by a majority in both.
The Italian judicial system is based on Roman lawRoman law is the legal system of both the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire, from its earliest days to the time of the Eastern Roman Empire, even to the time of the Emperor Justinian I after the fall of Rome itself. Roman law is the foundation of many l modified by the Napoleonic code and later statutes. There is only partial judicial review of legislation in the American sense. A constitutional court, which passes on the constitutionality of laws, is a post- World War II innovation. Its powers, volume, and frequency of decisions are not as extensive as those of the U.S. Supreme Court.
