Elections in Italy, Italy elects, at the national level, a Parliament consisting of two houses: the Chamber of Deputies (Camera dei Deputati) with 630 members; and the Senate of the Republic (Senato della Repubblica) with 315 elected members, plus a few senators for life. The President of the Republic is elected for a seven-year term by the two houses of Parliament in joint session.
Italy has historically had many political parties, although they have usually grouped themselves into two two main coalitions of the political left and right. As well as the national parties and coalitions, there are a number of regional parties (especially from the Aosta Valley and Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol), many far-left associations, and the Italian Radicals, whose allegiance is liable to change frequently.
Barring a snap election, the next Italian general elections will be held in April 2013.
Read more about Elections In Italy: Latest Election, Graph of General Election Results, Past Elections and Referendums, Presidential Appointment
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