1. Italian Government

2. Parliament Legislative power
Parliament is elected directly by the people
2 chambers: depute and senate
Elects the President of the Republic
They make the laws
Laws must be approved in the same text by both chambers

3. Deputy and Senate
Not held responsible for what they say in the chambers because they must speak their mind
They can not be arrested unless they are caught in the act by the authorities or without the authorization of the chamber

4. Deputy 630 deputees Must be 18 to vote for deputy
Must be 25 to become a duputy

5. Senate
315 senators
Plus some “senators for life” including ex presidents and up to 5 elected by the president
Must be 25 to vote for senators
Must be 40 to become a senator

6. President of the Republic
The president can reelect the chambers
Separate from parliament and government
Can stop a law approved by parliament, but only once
Can nominate the Prime Minister (President of the Council)
The current president is Giorgio Napolitano

7. Government Composed of prime minister and the ministers
Executive power
Needs trust of the parliament
They make acts that are as strong as laws: Law by decree and Legislative decree

8. Law by Decree Are issued by the government in case of emergency
Valid for 60 days
Must be converted into law by the end of the 60 days to be valid forever
If they are not converted they lose power until

9. Legislative Decree
Issued by the government on delegation by the parliament
Parliament has to approve a delegation law to allow the government to make the decree
Parliament decides how long they have to make the decree and the subject of the decree

10. Prime Minister Proposes the ministers but has equal power with them
Can not expel the ministers
Represents the government
The current Prime
Minister of Italy is
Mario Monti

11. Ministers 19 ministers in current government
Every government has a different number
Divided by subjects
Nominated by the President of the Republic and purposed by the Prime Minister