Italy

Oversight

Data on parliament’s oversight role and activities

Oversight tools

Parliament has the power to summon members of the government
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, art. 64
Parliament has the power to summon senior government officials
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Senate Rules, art. 48
Parliament has the power to approve key government appointments Key government appointments include, for example, ambassadors or the head of the central bank.
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Senate Rules, art. 139-bis
Approximate number of government appointments subject to parliamentary approval
0
Number of written questions asked, per year
1,691 (2021)
See historical data for this field.
Number of written questions answered by the government, per year
231 (2021)
See historical data for this field.
Parliament has power to carry out inquiries
Yes
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, art. 82
Number of parliamentary inquiries, per year
(2021)
See historical data for this field.

Head of State and/or Government

Head of State and/or Government
Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of Government Some parliaments elect the Head of Government or approve the nomination for the Head of Government. Others do not play a role.
Parliament approves a nomination for the Head of Government
Notes
The Government of the Republic is made up of the President of the Council and the Ministers who together form the Council of Ministers. The President of the Republic appoints the President of the Council of Ministers and, on his/her proposal, the Ministers (Constitution article 92). The Government must have the confidence of both Houses.
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, art. 94
The Head of Government is also the Head of State
No
Parliament’s role
Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of State Some parliaments designate the Head of State or approve the nomination for the Head of Government. Others do not play a role.
Parliament elects the Head of State
Notes
The President of the Republic is elected by the Parliament in a joint session of its members.
Three delegates from each region, elected by the Regional Council, participate in the election so that the representation of minorities is ensured.
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, art. 84

Impeachment and confidence motions

Procedure for parliament
There is a procedure for parliament to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution There is a procedure to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; The Head of State; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)
The Head of State
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, art. 90
Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
Lower chamber
Upper chamber
Impeachment Role
There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)
The whole Government
Individual members of the Executive
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, art. 94 (4)
Rules of procedures of the Chamber of Deputies, art. 115 (1) (3)
Constitutional Court Judgment No. 7/1996
Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
Lower chamber
Parliament is automatically dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted In some countries, the adoption of a motion of no confidence in the Government automatically leads to the dissolution of Parliament in certain countries. In other cases, a new government can be formed.
No