Composition
The Senate consists of 315 elected members, and as of 2013 three senators for life. The elected senators must be over 40 years of age, are elected by an electorate composed of Italian citizens aged 25 or over and, save for six senators who represent Italians living outside Italy, are elected on a regional basis. The senators for life are composed of former Presidents of the Italian Republic, who hold office ex officio and those who are appointed by the president "for outstanding merits in the social, scientific, artistic or literary field".
The three current life senators are:
- Of law as former President of the Republic: Carlo Azeglio Ciampi (PD)
- In order of appointment two former Prime Ministers: Emilio Colombo (UDC) and Mario Monti (SC).
The current Italian President of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano (independent), was also a "life senator" before his election in 2006; but his membership of the Senate is suspended whilst in Presidential office. He was re-elected in April 2013 and so his membership remains suspended.
The Italian Senate is unusual among European upper houses in that it has almost the same power as its lower counterpart. Any law can be initiated in either house, and must be approved in the same form by both houses. Additionally, a Government must have the consent of both to remain in office (a position which is known as "perfect bicameralism").
The current term of office of the Senate is five years. Until a Constitutional change on February 9, 1963 the Senate was elected for six-year terms of office. The Senate may be dissolved before the expiration of its normal term by the President of the Republic (e.g. when no government can obtain a majority).
Read more about this topic: Presidents Of The Italian Senate
Famous quotes containing the word composition:
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“Modern Western thought will pass into history and be incorporated in it, will have its influence and its place, just as our body will pass into the composition of grass, of sheep, of cutlets, and of men. We do not like that kind of immortality, but what is to be done about it?”
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