Italian Parliament

Composition and membership

Parliament is divided into two independent chambers: the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate of the Republic. Both chambers sit and vote separately on legislation and must generally approve identical texts for a bill to become law. Members of each house are elected for five-year terms, with the Chamber elected on a national basis and the Senate elected on a regional basis.

Following a 2020 constitutional referendum Italy reduced the number of elected parliamentarians: the Chamber's membership was lowered from its previous size and the Senate's membership was also reduced. In addition to elected members, the Senate includes a small number of life senators — former Presidents and a limited set of appointed citizens — who hold their seats without election.

Powers, duties and procedures

The two houses enjoy equal legislative powers, a characteristic often called "perfect bicameralism": most laws require the separate approval of both chambers. Parliament drafts and passes primary legislation, approves the budget, ratifies international treaties, and performs oversight of the executive through questions, hearings and investigative committees.

• It grants and can withdraw confidence in the government.
• It convenes in joint session for specific constitutional duties, such as electing the President of the Republic and certain high offices.
• It can propose constitutional amendments and, in special procedures, call referendums.

History and significance

The modern Italian Parliament takes its current form from the republican Constitution adopted in 1948, which established both chambers as equal partners in governance after the fall of the monarchy. Its antecedents date to the parliamentary institutions of the unified Kingdom of Italy in the 19th century. Over time electoral laws, internal rules and membership numbers have evolved through political reform and constitutional amendments.

Notable features include the independence of each chamber, the presence of life senators, and the central role Parliament plays in balancing executive power in Italy's parliamentary system. For more detailed procedural rules and historical milestones see official parliamentary sources and constitutional commentaries.