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ITALY
Camera dei Deputati (Chamber of Deputies)

Modules:
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBER

Parliament name (generic / translated) Il Parlamento / Parliament
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Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Camera dei Deputati / Chamber of Deputies
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Senato della Repubblica / Senate
Affiliation to the IPU Yes
Affiliation date(s) 1889 -
LEADERSHIP
President Roberto Fico (M) 
Notes Elected on 24 March 2018.
Secretary General Lucia Pagano (F) 
Notes Appointed on 9 Jan. 2015
COMPOSITION
Members (statutory / current number) 630 / 630
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN


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Women (current number) 225 (35.71%)
Mode of designation directly elected 630
Term 5 years
Last renewal dates 4 March 2018
(View details)
CONTACT INFORMATION
Address Camera dei Deputati
Piazza Montecitorio
00186 ROMA
(Export mailing lists)
Phone (3906) 67 601
Fax (3906) 67 604 428
E-mail segreteria_uip@camera.it
Website
http://www.parlamento.it
http://www.camera.it/

ELECTORAL SYSTEM

Parliament name (generic / translated) Il Parlamento / Parliament
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Camera dei Deputati / Chamber of Deputies
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Senato della Repubblica / Senate
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
Electoral law 30 March 1957
Last amendment: 12 November 2017 (Law n.165, Rosatellum bis)
Mode of designation directly elected 630
Constituencies - 232 members elected in single-member constituencies (including 1 constituency in Valle d'Aosta and 6 constituencies in Trentino Alto-Adige), using the majority system;
- 386 members elected in multi-member constituencies, using the proportional representation system;
- 12 members elected from multi-member constituencies abroad, using the proportional representation system.
Voting system Mixed: (Parallel System)
- List Proportional Representation (List PR) system for 398 seats
- First-past-the-post system for 232 seats

The minimum thresholds for a seat in the Chamber of Deputies are:
- for a political party: 3% of total valid votes;
- for a coalition: 10% of total valid votes.

Seats which become vacant between general elections are filled by the "next-in-line" candidate of the same party list. By-elections are held in the case of majority seats.
Voting is not compulsory.
Voter requirements - age: minimum 18 years old
- Italian citizenship
- disqualifications: criminal conviction, immoral character as defined by the law
CANDIDATES
Eligibility - qualified electors
- age: minimum 25 years old
- Italian citizenship

Candidates running in the Constituency for Italians Abroad must be both resident and qualified electors of that geographical group.
Incompatibilities - public posts (including the Constitutional Court judges and members of the National Council for Economic Affairs and Labour)
- executive of a State enterprise or State-assisted company
Candidacy requirements - Candidates must be registered in their respective political party's list. No candidate may register in more than one district or constituency, with the exception of the head of the list (candidato capolista), who may register in a maximum of ten districts.
- Candidates on party lists must alternate according to gender. Candidates of the same gender may not make up more than 50% of all the candidates of a given political party in a constituency.
- No more than 60% of heads of the same party list within the same constituency may be of the same gender.

LAST ELECTIONS

Parliament name (generic / translated) Il Parlamento / Parliament
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Camera dei Deputati / Chamber of Deputies
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Senato della Repubblica / Senate
BACKGROUND
Dates of election / renewal (from/to) 4 March 2018
Timing and scope of renewal Elections were held for all the seats in the Chamber of Deputies following the dissolution of this body on 28 December 2017.
Text is being prepared.
STATISTICS
Voter turnout
Round no 14 March 2018
Number of registered electors
Voters
Blank or invalid ballot papers
Valid votes
50'835'751
35'257'690 (69.36%)

Notes
Distribution of votes
Round no 1
Political group Candidates Votes % of votes
Coalition Lega - Forza Italia - FdI - NcI-UdC
Five Star Movement (M5s)
Coalition Democratic Party (PD) - "+EUROPA" - IEI-CP - SVP-PATT
Free and Equal (LeU)
Associative Movement of Italians Abroad (MAIE)
South American Union of Italian Immigrants (USEI)
Distribution of seats
Round no 1
Political Group Total of seats
Coalition Lega - Forza Italia - FdI - NcI-UdC 265
Five Star Movement (M5s) 227
Coalition Democratic Party (PD) - "+EUROPA" - IEI-CP - SVP-PATT 122
Free and Equal (LeU) 14
Associative Movement of Italians Abroad (MAIE) 1
South American Union of Italian Immigrants (USEI) 1
Distribution of seats according to sex
Men

Women

Percent of women
405

225

35.71%
Distribution of seats according to age
Distribution of seats according to profession
Comments
Note on the distribution of seats:
- Coalition Lega - Forza Italia - FdI - NcI-UdC comprises: the League (Lega), Forza Italia (FI), Brothers of Italy (FdI) and We with Italy (Noi con l'Italia)-Union of the Centre (UdC).
- Coalition Democratic Party (PD) - "+EUROPA" - IEI-CP - SVP-PATT comprises: the Democratic Party (PD), More Europe (+EUROPA), Italy Europe Together (IEI), the Popular Civic List (CP) and the South Tyrolean People’s Party (SVP) - the Trentino Tyrolean Autonomist Party (PATT).

Sources:
Chamber of Deputies (23.03.2018)
http://elezionistorico.interno.gov.it/index.php?tpel=C&dtel=04/03/2018
http://dait.interno.gov.it/documenti/dcse_dossier_politiche_4_marzo_2018.pdf
http://www.interno.gov.it/it/notizie/frequently-asked-questions-faq
http://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/2017/11/11/17G00175/sg

PRESIDENCY OF THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBER

Parliament name (generic / translated) Il Parlamento / Parliament
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Camera dei Deputati / Chamber of Deputies
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Senato della Repubblica / Senate
APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE
Title President of the Chamber of Deputies
Term - duration: 5 years (term of House) - normally remains in his post until the new Chamber has been installed
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, cessation of mandate (incompatibility), death, dissolution of the Chamber
Appointment - elected by all the Members of the Chamber at the start of each new legislature
- prior to validation of mandates
Eligibility any Member of the Chamber
Voting system - formal vote by secret ballot, in several rounds
- two-thirds majority required in the first and second rounds, an absolute majority in the third
Procedures / results - the provisional President (oldest Member) presides over the Chamber during the voting
- the provisional President, assisted by the four provisional Secretaries, supervises the voting
- the provisional President announces the results without delay
- the results cannot be challenged
STATUS
Status - ranks second in the hierarchy of the State, on the same level as the President of the Senate (the role of acting Head of State is reserved for the President of the Senate)
- in the order of precedence, the oldest of the Presidents of the two Houses comes first
- presides over joint sittings of both Houses
- presides over the Board of the Presidency, the Standing Orders Committee and the Conference of leaders of parliamentary groups
- represents the Chamber with the public authorities
- in the absence of the Speaker, one of the four Vice-Presidents can assume his/her role and functions
Board - the Board consists of 4 Vice-Presidents, 3 Questors and at least 8 secretaries, and each parliamentary group must be represented - their term is identical to that of the legislature and lasts up until the first meeting of the new Chamber
- meets at the initiative of the President without any particular frequency
- is empowered to deal with administrative, financial and organizational matters
Material facilities - allowance
+ expense allowance, equivalent to that of the President of the Council of Ministers (Lit. 5,917,511, tax-free)
- official residence
- official car with chaffeur
- air transport
- secretariat
- bodyguards
FUNCTIONS
Organization of parliamentary business - convenes the sittings of the Chamber
- organizes the debates and sets the speaking time allotted to each group, in collaboration with the Conference of Presidents
- examines the admissibility of bills and amendments
- refers texts to a committee for study - if a text is challenged by a leader of a group, the President must have the Chamber deliberate it

Chairing of public sittings - can open, adjourn and close sittings
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes certain announcements concerning the Chamber
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures
- gives and withdraws permission to speak depending on the agenda
- can moderate discussions and change the order in which amendments are taken up
- organizes votes according to the Standing Orders, proclaims the results, and may cancel a vote in the event of irregularities
- authenticates the texts adopted and the records of debates, assisted by a Secretary
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Chamber
- may, in certain cases covered by the Standing Orders, give the floor outside the agenda and thus organizes impromptu debates
Special powers - nominates the Secretary General to the Board of the Presidency
- is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments
- is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Chamber
Speaking and voting rights, other functions - may, on behalf of the Chamber, present the final version of a text which has already been approved

PARLIAMENTARY MANDATE

Parliament name (generic / translated) Il Parlamento / Parliament
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Camera dei Deputati / Chamber of Deputies
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Senato della Repubblica / Senate
NATURE
Nature of the mandate · Free representation (Art. 67 of the Constitution of 01.01.1948, with amendments up to 30.10.1993)
Start of the mandate · When the results are declared or, for appointed MPs, when their appointment is announced (Art. 1(1) of the Standing Orders of the Senate)
Validation of mandates · Validation by the Senate (Art. 66 of the Constitution in conjunction with Art. 51, 58(2) and 65 of the Constitution, Art. 87(1) of Presidential Decree N° 361 of 30 March 1957)
· Procedure (Art. 72 (last paragraph) and Art. 87(1) of Presidential Decree N° 361 of 30 March 1957, Rules 2 and 14 to 17 of the Rules governing the Examination of Credentials, Art. 19 of the Standing Orders of the Senate)
End of the mandate · On the day when the newly elected Parliament meets (Art. 61(2) of the Constitution). For early dissolution, see Art. 88 of the Constitution. With regard to Senators for life, see Art. 59 of the Constitution.
Can MPs resign? Yes · Of their own free will
· Procedure (Art. 89 of Presidential Decree N° 361 of 30 March 1957)
· Authority competent to accept the resignation: the Senate (save in the event of incompatibility)
Can MPs lose their mandate ? Yes (a) Definitive exclusion from Parliament by the latter:
- Forfeiture of mandate on grounds of incompatibility or loss of eligibility (Art. 66 of the Constitution in conjunction with Art. 51, 56(2), 58(2) and 65 of the Constitution, Rule 18 of the Rules governing the Examination of Credentials, Art. 19 of the Standing Orders of the Senate) - Forfeiture of mandate for breaching the rules governing electoral campaigns (Art. 15(7) of Act N° 515 regulating electoral cam-paigns for political elections)
- Loss of mandate pursuant to a judicial decision: criminal conviction entailing the ancillary penalty of exclusion from public office
STATUS OF MEMBERS
Rank in hierarchy · Within Parliament:
1. The President
2. The Vice-President
3. Life senators, according to seniority and, in cases of equal eligibility, according to age
4. Quaestors, according to seniority in the office of Senior Quaestor and, in cases of equal eligibility, according to age
5. Secretaries, according to seniority and, in cases of equal eligibility, according to age
6. Chairpersons of joint equi-representational commissions, committees and delegations, according to seniority and, in cases of equal eligibility, according to age
7. Presidents of parliamentary commissions and committees, according to seniority and, in cases of equal eligibility, according to age
8. Parliamentary secretaries of political parties represented in Parliament, by alphabetical order 9. Leaders of parliamentary groups, according to the numerical strength of the group
10. Vice-Presidents of joint equi-representational commissions, committees and delegations, according to seniority and, in cases of equal eligibility, according to age
11. Vice-Chairpersons of parliamentary commissions and committees, according to seniority and, in cases of equal eligibility, according to age
12. Secretaries of parliamentary commissions, committees and delegations, according to seniority and, in case of equal seniority, according to age
13. Presidents of advisory sub-committees, according to seniority and, in cases of equal eligibility, according to age
14. Other senators, according to seniority in Parliament and, in cases of equal eligibility, according to age
Indemnities, facilities and services · A diplomatic passport for the President, the Vice-President and the President of the Foreign Affairs Committee. An official passport for other senators (Art. 6(d) of the Ministerial Decision of 30.12.1978).
· Basic salary (Art. 69 of the Constitution): Lit. 18,560,281 (gross) per month
· + Monthly subsistence allowance
· No tax exemption
· Pension scheme
· Other facilities:
(a) Secretariat
(b) Assistants
(c) Postal and telephone services
(d) Travel and transport
Obligation to declare personal assets Yes
Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary non-accountability · The concept exists (Art. 68(1) of the Constitution).
· Parliamentary non-accountability is applicable to words spoken and written by MPs both within and outside Parliament, provided that they bear a functional relationship to the exercise of the man-date.
· Derogations: insults and contempt (Art. 66 and 67 of the Standing Orders of the Senate; see Discipline)
· Non-accountability takes effect on the day when the mandate be-gins and, on expiry of the mandate, affords protection against prosecution for opinions expressed during the exercise of the mandate.
Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary inviolability · The concept exists (Art. 68(2 and 3) of the Constitution).
· It is applicable to criminal and civil proceedings, covers all offences and protects MPs from arrest and detention on remand, house or body searches, interception of their conversations or communications and seizure of their mail.
· Derogations:
- Senators may be arrested, without prior authorisation by the Senate, in execution of a conviction that is not subject to appeal.
- Senators may be arrested without prior authorisation by the Senate if they are caught committing an offence for which an arrest warrant is compulsory.
· Parliamentary inviolability does not prevent MPs from being called as witnesses before a judge or court.
· Protection is provided throughout the mandate and also covers judicial proceedings instituted against MPs before their election.
· Parliamentary immunity (inviolability) can be lifted (Art. 68, paras. 2 and 3, of the Constitution): - Competent authority: the Senate
- Procedure (Art. 19(5) and Art. 135 of the Standing Orders of the Senate). In this case, MPs can be given a hearing. There is no possibility of appeal.
· Parliament cannot impose conditions on the prosecution and/or detention.
· Parliament cannot suspend the prosecution and/or detention of one of its members.
· In the event of pre-trial custody or imprisonment, the MPs con-cerned cannot be authorised to attend sittings of Parliament.
EXERCISE OF THE MANDATE
Training · There is a training/induction course on parliamentary practices and procedures for MPs.
· It is provided by the parliamentary groups or the Bureau of the Senate.
· Handbook of parliamentary procedure:
- Vade mecum for Senators
Participation in the work of the Parliament · It is compulsory for MPs to attend plenary sittings and committee meetings (Art. 1(2) of the Standing Orders of the Senate).
· Penalty for failure to fulfil this obligation: reduction in the variable proportion of the monthly subsistence allowance
Discipline · The rules governing discipline within Parliament are contained in Art. 8 and Chapter IX of the Standing Orders of the Senate.
· Disciplinary measures foreseen:
- Call to order, possibly with an entry in the record (Art. 66 of the Standing Orders of the Senate)
- Censure (Art. 67 of the Standing Orders of the Senate)
- Exclusion from the Senate Hall for the remainder of the sitting (Art. 67 of the Standing Orders of the Senate)
- Suspension of the sitting (Art. 67 of the Standing Orders of the Senate)
- Suspension from Parliament (Art. 67 of the Standing Orders of the Senate)
· Specific cases:
- Insults or contempt (Art. 66 and 67 of the Standing Orders of the Senate): call to order, possibly with an entry in the record, censure, exclusion from the Senate Hall for the remainder of the sitting, suspension of the sitting, suspension from Parliament
- Serious disturbances (Art. 68 of the Standing Orders of the Senate): call to order, suspension or adjournment of the sitting· Competent body to judge such cases/to impose penalties (Art. 8 of the Standing Orders of the Senate):
- Call to order, possibly with an entry in the record, censure, exclusion from the Senate Hall for the remainder of the sitting, suspension of the sitting, serious disturbances: the President
- Suspension from Parliament: the Bureau of the Senate
· Procedure:
- Call to order, possibly with an entry in the record, insults and contempt (Art. 66 of the Standing Orders of the Senate) Censure, exclusion from the Senate Hall for the remainder of the sitting, suspension of the sitting, suspension from Parliament, insults and contempt (Art. 67 of the Standing Orders of the Senate)
- Serious disturbances (Art. 68 of the Standing Orders of the Senate)
Code (rules) of conduct · This notion does not exist in the country's judicial system, but there are some relevant provisions (Art. 54, 65 and 66 of the Constitution, Rule 18 of the Rules governing the Examination of Credentials, Art. 135(6) of the Standing Orders of the Senate, Art. 290 and 313 of the Penal Code).
· Penalties for violation of the code of conduct:
- Forfeiture of mandate (Art. 66 of the Constitution in conjunction with Art. 58(2) and 65 of the Constitution; incompatibility)
- Penal sanctions (Art. 290 and 313 of the Penal Code, Art. 135(6) of the Standing Orders of the Senate; insulting the Republic, the institutions and the armed forces)
· Competent body to judge such cases/to impose penalties:
- Forfeiture of mandate: the Senate
- Penal sanctions: the ordinary judicial authorities
· Procedure:
- Forfeiture of mandate (Art. 66 of the Constitution in conjunction with Art. 65 of the Constitution, Rule 18 of the Rules governing the Examination of Credentials; incompatibility). In this case, MPs have no possibility of appeal.
- Penal sanctions (Art. 290 and 313 of the Penal Code, Art. 135(6) of the Standing Orders of the Senate; insulting the Republic, the institutions and the armed forces). In this case, MPs have no possibility of appeal.
Relations between MPs and pressure group · There are no legal provisions in this area.

This page was last updated on 11 June 2018
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