# Part II, Title I: Parliament
**Articles: 55-82**

## Core Idea
Parliament is the supreme representative body of the Italian people, exercising legislative power and political direction of the country. As a bicameral institution with perfect bicameralism, both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate have equal powers, ensuring territorial representation alongside population-based representation.

## Frameworks Introduced

### Bicameral System
- **Perfect Bicameralism**: Both chambers (Chamber of Deputies and Senate) have identical powers and functions (Art. 55-82)
  - When to use: Understanding Italian legislative process
  - How: Every law must be approved by both chambers in identical terms

### Chamber Composition
- **Chamber of Deputies**: 630 members (reduced to 400 in 2020 reform), elected by voters aged 18+, direct and universal suffrage, proportional system
- **Senate**: Originally 315+ members (reduced to 200 in 2020 reform), elected by voters aged 25+, regional basis with some life senators

## Key Concepts
- **Representative Mandate**: Members of Parliament represent the Nation, not just their constituency or party (Art. 67)
- **Incompatibility**: Cannot hold other offices or positions that create conflicts of interest (Art. 65)
- **Indemnity and Immunity**: Members cannot be held accountable for opinions expressed or votes cast in Parliament (Art. 68)
- **Meetings**: Each chamber verifies powers of its members, adopts own regulations, elects president and bureau (Art. 63-64)
- **Quorum**: Majority of members required for valid deliberations (Art. 64.3)
- **Public Sessions**: Meetings are public except in exceptional cases provided by regulations (Art. 64.4)

### Legislative Process
- **Initiative**: Government, any member of Parliament, Regional Councils, CNEL, or 50,000 voters (Art. 71)
- **Procedure**: Bill is examined by committees, then by full chamber, with potential amendments
- **Government Bills**: Government can present bills with priority treatment (Art. 72)
- **Decree-Laws**: Government can issue provisional measures with force of law, must be converted by Parliament within 60 days (Art. 77)
- **Legislative Delegation**: Parliament can delegate to Government power to issue decrees with force of law, within limits and for limited time (Art. 76)

### Government Oversight
- **Question Time**: Government must answer questions from Parliament members
- **Interpellations**: Government must explain its policy or conduct
- **Motion of No Confidence**: Government can be removed by motion of no confidence, which must be signed by at least one-tenth of members and include a new Prime Minister designate (Art. 94)
- **Investiture Vote**: Government needs confidence of both chambers; Prime Minister is appointed by President and must obtain confidence vote

## Mental Models
- Use **perfect bicameralism** — both chambers are co-equal legislators
- Think of **Government-Parliament relationship** — Government needs continuous confidence but Parliament cannot arbitrarily remove it
- Apply **constructive no-confidence** — removing Government requires proposing alternative

## Anti-patterns
- **Imperative mandate**: Deputies bound by external instructions violate independence
- **Government without confidence**: Government must have support of both chambers
- **Bypassing Parliament**: Using decree-laws as routine legislation

## Key Takeaways
1. Parliament is the supreme representative body with legislative power
2. Both chambers have equal powers in perfect bicameral system
3. Government is accountable to Parliament and needs its confidence
4. Legislative process allows for broad participation (Government, members, regions, citizens)
5. Government oversight includes questions, interpellations, and motions of no confidence

## Connects To
- **Fundamental Principles**: Parliament exercises popular sovereignty (Art. 1)
- **Title II (President)**: President has limited role in parliamentary process
- **Title III (Government)**: Government formation and accountability to Parliament