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WORLD
prime minister in the history of It- of diametrically opposed political po- DOSSIER
aly and for two years he maintained sitions and ethnic differences. Same
stable majority, which is a rarity for as for every country which was part
Italy. During his mandate, Renzi im- of the forces of the Axis, a separate
plemented numerous reforms which political system was created for Italy,
stabilized the economic crisis in Ita- which should provide stability for the
ly, and his image as a firm reformer country and control mechanisms for
provided him the sympathies not only limitation of the power of the individ-
among the Italian public, but beyond uals in accordance with the doctrine
as well. In his reform influx, Renzi at the time, for the countries which
accepted the greatest challenge of went through the period of fascism –
the political system in Italy, reform “Never again”. In an attempt to unite
of the electoral model and abolition the country in a form of a republic,
of the complete dichotomy between the Constitution of Italy stipulates
the Parliament and the Senate. In the so called perfectly symmetrical
this system Gordian knot, many po- bicameral parliament, with identi-
litical stars of Italy in these past de- cal rights and duties between the two
cades had “burnt” their political am- branches. The lower branch (the Par-
bitions, so this political challenge is liament – Chamber of Deputies) is rep-
considered the “holy grail” of Renzi’s resented by parliamentarians who are
political career. After two years of elected at direct elections, while the
struggle in the Parliament, at the be- upper branch (the Senate), although
ginning of this year, Renzi managed it is using a similar proportional elec-
to push through the system changes, tive model as the Parliament, has set
thereby to provide conditions for a limitations wherewith it provides in-
referendum. His ambitious and cou- creased regional representation and
rageous political move left the op- political diversity. The system is cre-
position without many options for ated in such a way so that it can pro-
fight against his, at those moments, vide concentration of the power of a
brilliant career, and the opposition specific political elite, and force the
remained divided on the issue of the political elites to form coalition com-
constitutional reforms. The surveys promises in order to provide stable
show an approving position for the majority. Throughout the years, this
referendum of more than 55% com- perfect symmetry proved to be a suc-
pared to 25% who are against, and cessful experiment in terms of the
Renzi’s popularity remained stable creation of numerous political enti-
at more than 40%. And then, in April ties and in the limitation of the power
this year, only few months from the of specific political groups. However,
referendum, Matteo Renzi stated that also, in its entire political diversity,
if the referendum fails, he will resign this system turned Italy into one of
from his political function. Today, the politically most unstable coun-
Renzi’s political gambit is considered tries in the world where in the past 70
one of the greatest political lapses, years there were as much as 64 prime
which threatens to change the politi- ministers!? Practically, in its modern
cal structure in Italy, and consider- history as a Republic, Italy had no
ing the conditions in the European government which managed to run its
Union, it is one of the major threats entire mandate, and usually the gov-
for the survival of the Euro and the ernments cannot provide multitude,
stability of the entire union. not even for a half of their stipulated
mandate. This political instability,
THE ITALIAN BICAMERAL SYSTEM although it has its democratic advan-
After the World War ended, the tages, still it brings a great burden of
inefficiency and inconsistence of the
Italian society was a complex mixture
October 2016 77
