Becoming Italy's President: Understanding The Legal Requirements

Italy's president is elected every seven years by an electoral college consisting of members of the Italian Parliament and representatives of the country's 20 regions. The president must be an Italian citizen aged 50 or older, and they must enjoy civil and political rights. The role is largely ceremonial, but the president has the power to dissolve the legislative chambers, give mandates to form a government, and appoint technical cabinets in times of crisis.

Any Italian citizen over 50 can be president

Any Italian citizen over the age of 50 can be elected president of Italy. This is enshrined in Article 84 of the Constitution of Italy, which states that any citizen who is fifty or older on election day and enjoys civil and political rights can be elected president.

The framers of the Constitution intended for the president to be an elder statesman of some stature. The Constitution also states that the presidency is incompatible with any other office, so any president-elect must resign from any other position they hold before being sworn in.

The president of Italy is elected by an electoral college, consisting of the members of both chambers of the Italian Parliament (the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate of the Republic), and 58 special electors appointed by the regional councils of the 20 regions of Italy. Each region appoints three representatives, except for the Aosta Valley, which, due to its small size, appoints only one. This is to guarantee representation for localities and minorities. The presidential term lasts seven years and there is no term limit.

The election process involves several rounds of voting, with a two-thirds majority required to elect a president in the first three rounds. After that, a simple majority is sufficient. The ballots are cast in secret, and the vote is presided over by the president of the Chamber of Deputies, who calls for the public counting of the votes.

The role of the president of Italy is largely ceremonial, involving signing laws and presiding over the judiciary's independence. However, in times of crisis, the president has sweeping powers, including the ability to dissolve the legislative chambers, give mandates to form a government, and appoint technical cabinets.

The president is elected by an electoral college

The President of Italy is elected by an electoral college, which is made up of a joint session of both chambers of the Italian Parliament, and 58 special electors appointed by the regional councils of Italy's 20 regions. The 58 special electors are regional delegates, with three representatives from each region, except for the Aosta Valley, which, due to its small size, appoints only one.

The 1,008 so-called 'grand electors' gather in the House to vote. The House Speaker presides over the secret voting, with the Senate Speaker at their side. Senators vote first, followed by deputies, and then regional delegates. Each voter must write out the name of their chosen candidate. A two-thirds majority is required to elect a president on any of the first three rounds of balloting; after that, a simple majority is enough.

The electoral college was much larger prior to the 2020 Italian constitutional referendum, which reduced the number of elected parliament members. There were 1,009 members participating in the 2022 election.

The president serves a seven-year term

The president of Italy serves a seven-year term. This is set out in the country's 1948 Constitution, which does not impose any term limits. The seven-year term means that no president can be re-elected by the same houses, which have a five-year mandate. This grants some freedom from excessive political ties to the appointing body.

The incumbent president, Sergio Mattarella, was first elected on 31 January 2015 and re-elected on 29 January 2022. Mattarella is a former constitutional judge. Before him, Giorgio Napolitano became the first Italian president to serve a second term in 2013. However, he made it clear that he would not serve his full term and resigned in January 2015.

The presidential term can end prematurely in the event of voluntary resignation, death in office, permanent disability due to serious illness, or impeachment and conviction for high treason or attack on the Constitution.

The president must guarantee compliance with the Constitution

The president of Italy, officially titled the President of the Italian Republic, is the head of state of Italy. The president's role is to represent national unity and guarantee compliance with the Constitution. This means that the president must remain impartial and above party lines, ensuring that Italian politics adheres to the Constitution.

The president's role in guaranteeing compliance with the Constitution is not merely symbolic. While the president does not have veto power over legislation, they are required to sign bills into law and can send them back to parliament if they are deemed to be unconstitutional or lacking the necessary financial cover. This power is not taken lightly by legislators, and objections from the president are usually addressed. The president's role in upholding the Constitution is especially crucial during times of crisis, when they have the power to dissolve the legislative chambers, appoint technical cabinets, and give mandates to form a new government.

The president's responsibility to ensure compliance with the Constitution extends to the appointment of the prime minister. While the prime minister must be appointed with the confidence of parliament, the president's role as commander-in-chief of the Italian Armed Forces and chair of the High Council of the Judiciary means that they can exercise some influence over the political landscape. For example, the president can appoint up to five senators for life and can grant pardons.

The president's role in guaranteeing compliance with the Constitution is further demonstrated by their power to call referendums, ratify international treaties (with parliamentary authorization), and preside over the Consiglio Superiore della Magistratura (Superior Judicial Council). The president also has the power to declare a state of war, but only as decided by parliament.

In summary, the president of Italy plays a crucial role in guaranteeing compliance with the Constitution. While the role is largely ceremonial, the president has significant powers during times of crisis and can influence the political landscape through various means. The president's responsibility to uphold the Constitution is paramount and shapes the exercise of their duties and powers.

The president is commander-in-chief of the armed forces

The President of Italy, officially the President of the Italian Republic, is the head of state of Italy. The role involves representing national unity and guaranteeing that Italian politics comply with the Constitution. The president is commander-in-chief of the Italian Armed Forces and chairs the High Council of the Judiciary.

The president's role as commander-in-chief of the Italian Armed Forces is a significant aspect of their responsibilities. It entails being the supreme leader of the military and having the authority to make decisions regarding national security and defence. This includes overseeing military operations, determining military strategy, and managing the armed forces' organisation and resources.

As commander-in-chief, the president is responsible for ensuring the readiness and effectiveness of the armed forces in protecting Italy's sovereignty and territorial integrity. They work closely with the Minister of Defence and the military leadership to address defence-related issues and make informed decisions. The president also has the power to appoint military leaders and play a role in defence policy formulation.

The role of commander-in-chief allows the president to represent Italy on international defence matters. They may engage in defence diplomacy, attend international defence forums, and collaborate with foreign heads of state to address global security challenges. The president's authority as commander-in-chief extends to declaring a state of war, but this decision must be made in conjunction with the Parliament's determination.

In times of national emergency or crisis, the president's role as commander-in-chief becomes even more crucial. They may be called upon to authorise the deployment of the armed forces to maintain order, assist in disaster response, or address other urgent situations. The president's decisions and actions as commander-in-chief are intended to safeguard Italy's security and protect its citizens.

The president's role as commander-in-chief of the Italian Armed Forces is a key aspect of their responsibility to uphold the Constitution and ensure the country's defence and security. It involves a delicate balance of powers and collaboration with other branches of government to make informed, timely decisions regarding the armed forces and national defence.

Frequently asked questions