Art. 1 of the Italian Constitution: Italy is a democratic Republic founded on labour. Sovereignty belongs to the people and is exercised by the people in the forms and within the limits of the Constitution 2 June 1946 Abolition of monarchy. Became a Republic after a referendum. *NB: also the first time Italian women could vote. President The head of state. Elected for 7 -year mandate by Parliament 317 seats) Bicameral (= Chamber of Deputies 630 seats + Senate of the Republic Elected by proportional voting. Prime Minister Head of Government. Appointed by President. Approved by Parliament. Leads the Council of Ministers which presents the executive power. President PM
Characteristics of party system of the Second Republic (since 1994) • Majoritarian electoral law => changed to Proportional in 2005 • Split of old parties (siding or withstanding Berlusconi) Democratic Party, Socialists, Christian Democrats => more fragmentation but still bipolarity in party function
downfall of his" src="https://present5.com/presentation/16680723_281323167/image-4.jpg" alt=""Veltrusconi“, 2008 - PM Romano Prodi lost vote of confidence => downfall of his" />
"Veltrusconi“, 2008 - PM Romano Prodi lost vote of confidence => downfall of his government dissolution of Parliament - 2 major competitors => victory of Berlusconi: representative of The People of Freedom IL POPOLO DELLA LIBERTA’ (PDL) - High tax cuts - Increased spending Chamber of Deputies NB: Berlusconi is the Party’s President, while Angelino Alfano is the Party’s Secretary; the Party’s leadership should be in the hands of the Secretary, but actually Berlusconi is the acknowledged leader Senate
General election results from the February 2013 elections offer four possible scenarios: • Survival of the current government as a caretaker scheduling new elections => unlikely because Monti entered the political race • A minority government formed by the centre-left with the problem of getting a confidence vote in the Senate => need to negotiate parliamentary support on institutional reforms or specific legislative bills • Formation of a “grand coalition” (actually a minimum winning coalition) by the centre-left and centre-right=> could be imposed by some external pressure (international markets, members of Eurozone) • Formation of a coalition with the centre-left and the Grillo movement (again a minimum winning coalition)=> unlikely because Grillo refuses any kind of alliances
General Elections, 2013 • Parties encouraged to form coalitions • The coalition or party that wins a plurality in a region is guaranteed 55 percent of the region's Senate seats