Omar Bennett
The Italian Constitution was written by 556 deputies elected by the Italian people to their first Constitutional Assembly on June 2, 1946. The Assembly approved the Constitution on December 22, 1947, and it came into force on January 1, 1948. The Italian Constitution established a parliamentary system of government with two elected houses, the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. It also guaranteed civil and political rights, established an independent judiciary, and recognised the sovereignty of the State and the Catholic Church within their respective spheres.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date written | 2 June 1946 |
| Date approved | 22 December 1947 |
| Date ratified | 22 December 1947 |
| Date promulgated | 27 December 1947 |
| Date came into force | 1 January 1948 |
| Number of votes in favour | 453 |
| Number of votes against | 62 |
| Number of votes absent | 31 |
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What You'll Learn
- The Italian Constitution was written in 1946 and approved in 1947
- It was ratified on 22 December 1947 and came into force on 1 January 1948
- The Constituent Assembly was elected by universal suffrage
- The Constitution established a parliamentary system of government with two elected houses
- It guarantees civil and political rights and freedom of religion
The Italian Constitution was written in 1946 and approved in 1947
The Italian Constitution established a parliamentary system of government with two elected houses: the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. It also guaranteed civil and political rights, established an independent judiciary, and created a constitutional court with powers of judicial review. The constitution outlines the rights of citizens, including the right to associate freely in political parties, the right to petition the Chambers, and the right to work. It also recognises the independence and sovereignty of the State and the Catholic Church, with freedom of religion for all denominations.
The Constituent Assembly that wrote and approved the constitution was composed of a wide range of political groups, including Christian democrats, liberals, and leftists. However, all these groups shared a commitment to anti-fascism, which is reflected in the constitution's emphasis on legislative power and its rejection of an authoritarian constitution. The constitution was promulgated by the Provisional President of Italy, Enrico de Nicola, and it replaced the previous Constitution of the Kingdom of Italy, which had been enacted a century earlier.
The Italian Constitution has been amended sixteen times since its implementation and remains the foundational document of the Italian Republic, shaping the country's political and legal landscape.
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It was ratified on 22 December 1947 and came into force on 1 January 1948
The Italian Constitution was approved by the Constituent Assembly on 22 December 1947, with 453 votes in favour, 62 against, and 31 absent. The deputies of the Constituent Assembly were elected by universal suffrage on 2 June 1946, on the same day as the referendum on the abolition of the monarchy. The Assembly was formed by representatives of all the anti-fascist forces that contributed to the defeat of Nazi and Fascist forces during the liberation of Italy.
The Constitution was then ratified on 22 December 1947, when it was promulgated by the Provisional President of Italy, Enrico de Nicola. It came into force ten days later, on 1 January 1948, one century after the previous Constitution of the Kingdom of Italy had been enacted. The Constitution of the Italian Republic established a parliamentary system of government with two elected houses: the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.
The Fundamental Principles of the Constitution declare the foundations on which the Republic is established, starting with its democratic nature, in which sovereignty belongs to the people and is exercised by them within the limits of the Constitution. The Principles recognise the dignity of the person, both as an individual and in social groups, expressing the notions of solidarity and equality without distinction of sex, race, language, religion, political opinion, personal and social conditions. The right to work is also recognised, with labour considered the foundation of the Republic and a means to achieve individual and social development.
The Constitution guarantees civil and political rights and establishes an independent judiciary and a constitutional court with powers of judicial review. It also recognises the independence and sovereignty of the State and the Catholic Church within their respective spheres. Freedom of religion is recognised, with all religions having the right of self-organisation as long as they do not conflict with the law. The Constitution also grants the right of asylum to those who are denied democratic freedoms in their home country or who are accused of political offences.
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The Constituent Assembly was elected by universal suffrage
The Italian Constitution was written by 556 deputies elected by the Italian people to their first Constituent Assembly on June 2, 1946. The Constituent Assembly was formed by representatives of all the anti-fascist forces that contributed to the defeat of Nazi and Fascist forces during the liberation of Italy. The Assembly was composed of Christian democrats, liberals, and leftists, all united by their anti-fascist stance. This stance influenced their agreement on a constitution that emphasised legislative power over executive power, rejecting an authoritarian constitution.
The election of the Constituent Assembly was held in all Italian provinces, except for Bolzano, Gorizia, Trieste, Pola, Fiume, and a few others. The deputies were elected by universal suffrage, meaning that all citizens were able to participate in choosing their representatives, regardless of gender, social status, or other factors. This was a significant step towards establishing a democratic system in Italy, where sovereignty belongs to the people and is exercised by them within the framework of the Constitution.
The right to vote was also extended to citizens residing abroad, who could participate in the election of the Chambers through a foreign constituency established by constitutional law. This ensured that Italians living outside of Italy had a say in shaping their country's future through the Constituent Assembly.
The Constituent Assembly played a crucial role in drafting and approving the Italian Constitution. After the deputies were elected by universal suffrage, they worked together to create a constitution that reflected the values and aspirations of the Italian people. The Assembly approved the Constitution on December 22, 1947, by a significant majority of 453 votes in favour and 62 against, with 31 absentees.
The Italian Constitution established a parliamentary system of government with two elected houses: the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. It guaranteed civil and political rights, established an independent judiciary, and provided for a constitutional court with powers of judicial review. The Constitution also recognised the independence and sovereignty of the State and the Catholic Church within their respective spheres, guaranteeing freedom of religion for all denominations as long as they abide by Italian law.
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The Constitution established a parliamentary system of government with two elected houses
The Italian Constitution was written by 556 deputies elected by the Italian people to their first Constitutional Assembly on June 2, 1946. The Constitution of the Republic of Italy established a parliamentary system of government with two elected houses: the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. The two houses are independent of each other and have their own unique powers and responsibilities.
The Chamber of Deputies, also known as the Lower House, is the primary house of the Italian Parliament. It is composed of representatives elected by the people, with the number of deputies being allocated based on the population of each constituency. The Chamber of Deputies is responsible for creating and passing laws, overseeing the work of the government, and approving the state's budget. It also has the power to initiate a vote of no confidence in the government, leading to its dissolution if a majority of deputies agree.
The Senate, on the other hand, is the upper house of the Italian Parliament. It is composed of a mix of directly elected senators and senators appointed by the President of the Republic. The Senate has the power to review and approve laws passed by the Chamber of Deputies, as well as to propose and amend legislation. Additionally, the Senate has exclusive powers in certain areas, such as ratifying international treaties and approving the appointment of senior judges and public officials.
The Constitution also established an independent judiciary, guaranteeing the separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. The judiciary interprets and applies the laws, ensuring that they are consistent with the Constitution. It also includes a constitutional court with powers of judicial review, ensuring that the actions of the legislative and executive branches do not violate the constitutional rights of citizens.
The Italian Constitution is rooted in democratic principles, guaranteeing civil and political rights to its citizens. It recognises the dignity of the person, promoting equality and solidarity regardless of sex, race, language, religion, or political opinion. It also establishes the right to work and the freedom of religion, with all religious denominations being equal before the law. The Constitution further emphasises the importance of culture, scientific and technical research, and the preservation of Italy's natural, historical, and artistic heritage.
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It guarantees civil and political rights and freedom of religion
The Constitution of the Italian Republic was ratified on 22 December 1947 and came into force on 1 January 1948. The Italian Constitution guarantees civil and political rights, freedom of religion, and establishes an independent judiciary and a constitutional court with powers of judicial review.
The Fundamental Principles of the Constitution declare the foundations on which the Republic is established, starting with its democratic nature, in which sovereignty belongs to the people and is exercised by them in the forms and within the limits of the Constitution. The Principles recognise the dignity of the person, both as an individual and in social groups, expressing the notions of solidarity and equality without distinction of sex, race, language, religion, political opinion, personal and social conditions.
Freedom of religion is recognised in the Italian Constitution, with all religions having the right of self-organisation, as long as they do not conflict with the law. The Constitution specifically mentions the Lateran Treaty of 1929, which granted special status to the Catholic Church, and allows for modifications to this treaty without requiring constitutional amendments. This treaty was later modified by a new agreement between the Church and the State in 1984. All religious denominations are to be equally free before the law, and religious denominations other than Catholicism have the right to organise themselves according to their own by-laws, as long as they do not conflict with the Italian legal system.
The Italian Constitution also guarantees civil and political rights, including the right to work, the right to asylum for those who are denied democratic freedoms in their home country, and the right to petition the Chambers demanding legislative measures or setting forth general needs. All citizens have the right to associate freely in political parties to contribute by democratic means to the determination of national policy, and all citizens are eligible for public office and elective positions on conditions of equality, according to the rules established by law. The Constitution also establishes an independent judiciary, with the President of the Council of Ministers and the ministers subject to ordinary courts for offences committed in the exercise of their functions, provided authorisation is granted by the Senate of the Republic or the Chamber of Deputies.
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Frequently asked questions
The Italian Constitution was written in 1946 and approved on December 22, 1947.
The Italian Constitution was written by 556 deputies elected by the Italian people to their first Constitutional Assembly.
The Italian Constitution was approved on December 22, 1947, by 453 votes in favour, 62 against, and 31 absent.
The Italian Constitution came into force on January 1, 1948.
