# Constitutional Glossary — Constitution of Italy

**1948 Constitution** — The Constitution of the Italian Republic, approved by the Constituent Assembly on December 22, 1947, promulgated on December 27, 1947, and entered into force on January 1, 1948. Established Italy as a democratic Republic founded on labor.

**Amending Process** — Procedure for constitutional revision requiring: parliamentary initiative, double approval by each chamber with 3-month interval, absolute majority for second approval, and possible referendum.

**Autonomies, Local** — Constitutional recognition of self-government rights of Municipalities, Provinces, and Regions (Art. 5, 114-133).

**Bicameralism, Perfect** — Both chambers of Parliament (Chamber of Deputies and Senate) have identical powers and functions. Every law must be approved by both in identical terms.

**Budget Law** — Annual law approving State revenue and expenditure, must be approved by Parliament (Art. 81).

**Chamber of Deputies** — Lower house of Parliament, with members elected by direct universal suffrage. Primary legislative chamber.

**Constitutional Court (Corte Costituzionale)** — Supreme interpreter of Constitution, with 15 judges, jurisdiction over constitutional review and competency conflicts (Art. 134-137).

**Constitutional Laws** — Special category of laws that amend or supplement the Constitution, requiring aggravated procedure.

**Constitutional Review** — Power of Constitutional Court to declare laws or acts with force of law unconstitutional.

**Constructive Motion of No Confidence** — Parliamentary mechanism to remove Government, requiring absolute majority for alternative Prime Minister candidate (Art. 94).

**Counter-signature** — Requirement that most presidential acts must be countersigned by proponent Minister, ensuring democratic responsibility (Art. 89).

**Decree-Law (Decreto-Legge)** — Provisional legislative measures adopted by Government in extraordinary and urgent cases, must be converted into law by Parliament within 60 days (Art. 77).

**Democracy, Representative** — Political system where people exercise sovereignty through elected representatives.

**Dignity, Human** — Inviolable right of the person, foundation of political order and social peace (Art. 2, 3).

**Equality** — All citizens have equal social dignity and are equal before the law without distinction (Art. 3). Includes both formal and substantive dimensions.

**Government (Consiglio dei Ministri)** — Executive body composed of Prime Minister (President of Council) and Ministers, directing national policy and administration (Art. 92-96).

**Immunity, Parliamentary** — Members of Parliament cannot be held accountable for opinions expressed or votes cast in exercise of their functions (Art. 68).

**Judicial Independence** — Judges are subject only to the law, with guarantees of irremovability and autonomy (Art. 101, 104, 107).

**Judiciary (Magistratura)** — Independent power exercised by judges, administering justice in name of the people (Art. 101-113).

**Labor, Foundation on** — Italy is a democratic Republic founded on labor (Art. 1). Both a right and a founding value.

**Lay Judges** — Citizens who participate alongside professional judges in certain courts, ensuring popular participation in justice.

**Legislative Delegation** — Parliament may delegate to Government power to issue decrees with force of law, within limits and for limited time (Art. 76).

**Legislative Initiative** — Right to propose laws, held by Government, Parliament members, Regional Councils, CNEL, and 50,000 voters (Art. 71).

**Metropolitan Cities** — Special local entities for large urban areas, with enhanced competencies.

**Ministers** — Members of Government, head ministries, appointed by President of Republic on Prime Minister's proposal (Art. 92-93).

**Motion of No Confidence** — Parliamentary mechanism to remove Government, must be constructive (include new Prime Minister) and approved by absolute majority (Art. 94).

**Municipalities (Comuni)** — Fundamental local entities with autonomy, own statute, mayor, and council (Art. 114, 117).

**Parliament** — Supreme representative body, bicameral (Chamber of Deputies + Senate), exercising legislative power and political direction (Art. 55-82).

**Perfect Bicameralism** — Constitutional principle that both parliamentary chambers have equal powers and must approve identical texts.

**President of the Council (Prime Minister)** — Head of Government, directs and coordinates government policy, appointed by President of Republic (Art. 92-95).

**President of the Republic** — Head of State, representing national unity, guaranteeing Constitution, elected by expanded electoral college, 7-year term (Art. 83-91).

**Provinces (Province)** — Intermediate local entities between Regions and Municipalities, with coordinating functions.

**Referendum** — Popular vote on abrogation of laws or constitutional amendments, can be called by Parliament or requested by voters/Regions (Art. 75, 138).

**Regions (Regioni)** — 20 territorial entities with autonomy, own statute, Regional Council, Giunta, and President. 5 have special statutes with enhanced powers.

**Republican Form** — Italy's form of State as a Republic, cannot be amended by constitutional revision (Art. 139).

**Residual Competencies** — Legislative powers in matters not expressly reserved to State belong to Regions.

**Senate (Senato della Repubblica)** — Upper house of Parliament, representing territories, with members elected regionally.

**Social Function of Property** — Private property is recognized and guaranteed but must serve its social function and be accessible to all (Art. 42).

**Solidarity** — Constitutional duty of political, economic, and social solidarity, foundation of social rights (Art. 2).

**Special Statute Regions** — Five Regions (Sicily, Sardinia, Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Valle d'Aosta) with enhanced autonomy based on historical, geographical, or linguistic factors.

**State** — The Republic, composed of Municipalities, Provinces, Metropolitan Cities, Regions, and central State (Art. 114).

**Subsidiarity** — Principle that functions should be exercised by entities closest to citizens, with higher levels intervening only when necessary.

**Supreme Council of the Judiciary (CSM)** — Self-governing body of ordinary judiciary, composed of judges and members from Parliament and law professors (Art. 104-107).

**Transitional Provisions** — Temporary norms that facilitated transition from previous constitutional order to the Republic.