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Historical Timeline of Italy:
800-600 B.C.: Greeks, Etruscans and others settle in Italy.
753 B.C.: Rome is founded. This marks the beginning of the Roman Kingdom.
509 B.C.: The monarchy is overthrown & Rome becomes a republic. From 46 to 44 B.C., Julius Caesar rules as dictator.
27 B.C.: Augustus becomes the first emperor of the Roman Empire. He is Julius Caesar's grand-nephew & adopted son.
1200-1600 A.D.: Rome, Florence and Venice prosper during the Renaissance, a period of renewed interest in culture.
1861: Italy becomes a unified nation under King Victor Emmanuel II.
1915: Italy enters World War I on the side of the Allies.
1918: The Allies win World War I.
1940-1943: Italy sides with Germany & enters World War II. In 1943, dictator Benito Mussolini is forced to resign.
1943: Italy surrenders to the Allies in WWII. Italy declares war on Germany.
1945: Mussolini is shot. World War II ends.
1946: Italians vote to abolish the monarchy and establish a democratic republic.
1984: Catholicism is no longer Italy's formal state religion.
Political System of Italy:
1. Type of government and how it was established:
Since June 2, 1946, Italy has been a democratic republic. The people voted to abolish the monarchy by popular referendum. The constitution was adopted on January 1, 1948. The constitution established a bicameral parliament (the Chamber of Deputies and Senate), an executive branch (cabinet, headed by the prime minister), and an independent judicial branch. The president is elected every 7 years by the parliament and the president nominates the prime minister, who chooses the other ministers.
President: Giorgio Napolitano Prime Minister: Silvio Berlusconi
2. Major Parties and what they represent:
The People of Liberty - Centre right
The People of Freedom - Centre right
Democratic Party - Centre left
Northern League - Right-wing populist and anti-immigration
Italy of Values - Centrist populist and anti-corruption
Union of the Center - Christian-democratic coalition
Union of Christian and Centre Democrats - Christian-democratic
3. Voting age and voting requirements:
Italian citizen
18 years or older
Senate elections: 25 years or older
4. Highlights of last elections:
On April 13 and 14, 2008, a snap general election was held after President Giorgio Napolitano dissolved parliament. The major competitors and their parties were: Silvio Berlusconi - The People of Freedom, Walter Veltroni - Democratic Party, Pierferdinando Casini - Union of the Centre, Fausto Bertinotti - The Left, Daniela Santanchè - The Right, and Enrico Boselli - Socialist. The results of the election was that the People of Freedom party achieved 37.5% of the vote and the Democratic Party achieved 33%. In the end, Silvio Berlusconi and his People of Freedom party emerged victorious over Walter Veltroni and his Democratic Party.
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