Political Science Italy

Italy is a parliamentary republic (basing on the Constitution from 1948) ruled by President.

The President of Italy Scalfaro, formerly known as a supporter of the Communist Party of Italy. The president is elected by a joint session of both houses of parliament and regional representatives for a period of 7 years.

Italian Prime Minister is Silvio Berlusconi. Prime minister is appointed by the president and approved by the Italian Parliament.

The Senate (Senato della Repubblica), which consists of 315 people (232 people are directly elected, 83 are proportionally elected, becoming regional representatives. Some people are elected for life term)

House of Representatives (Camera dei Deputati), which consists of 630 people (475 seats are allocated on the basis of majority elections, 155 are proportionally elected, becoming regional representatives).

The legal system is based on the principles of civil law. Controversial issues are resolved by the courts, some issues are resolved in the Constitutional Court (Corte constituzionale).

The Constitutional Court consists of 15 people. 5 people appointed by the President, five people are appointed by Parliament and five people are appointed by the administrative Supreme Courts).

The main political parties and movements in Italy are the following: the movement "Forza Italia" (Forza Italia), a center-left coalition "Oliva", the Christian Democratic Center, Christian - Democratic Union, the Green Party, the Communist Party, the Northern League and others.

A citizen in Italy has the right to vote from 18 years, except for the presidential election in the Senate, when one has the right to vote from 25 years.