Parliament

The Italian Parliament comprises two Houses: the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate of the Republic. According to the principle of full bicameralism, each of the Houses performs identical functions. Their main function is to enact national legislation. By virtue of the vote of confidence, which brings a new Government to life, they lay down the policy guidelines that the Executive must follow. The Government is accountable to Parliament, which holds it to account through interrogations and questions. Both Houses are elected every five years. The only differences between them are the number of members and the rules for their election. The 630 deputies must be at least 25 years of age, and are elected by all Italian citizens over 18 years of age. The 315 elected senators must be at least 40 years of age and their electors must be over 25. In addition to the elected members, the Senate also includes ex officio life senators [former Presidents of the Republic] and life senators - appointed by the President of the Republic for outstanding merits in the social, scientific, artistic or literary fields. The President of the Republic is elected every seven years, inaugurated and - if required - impeached, by both Houses sitting jointly. A given number of justices are also elected by a joint session of parliament to serve on the Constitutional Court and the Higher Judicial Council.