Law of Italy

Module 2

The Constitution and public institutions: fundamental principles, the President, Parliament, the Government, the administration and independent authorities, and elections

Italy is a **parliamentary republic**. After the **Second World War** the Constituent Assembly wrote a **Constitution** that came into force on **1 January 1948**. It opens with **twelve fundamental principles**: **popular sovereignty**, **inviolable rights**, **equality**, **work**, **local autonomy**, **protection of minorities and of culture**, and **peace and international cooperation**. Power is divided among a **President** who guarantees the Constitution, a **Parliament** of two equal Houses, a **Government** that needs Parliament’s confidence, **independent courts** and a **Constitutional Court**. For a foreigner, the most important institutions are the **ministries and local offices** that issue **permits, registrations and certificates**. This module explains the institutions. Numbers of seats and the details of electoral laws **change**, so they are not stated here.

General education on the law of Italy, using invented people and businesses. It states laws and procedures in simplified form and is not legal advice. The law and its practice change, and every case turns on its facts and on the authority concerned. It does not offer legal representation or a legal opinion on any case. Consult an Italian avvocato for any real matter.