Italy | Panorama

.
.

.
.
| Panoramica | Panorama | | Regio Esercito | Royal Armed Forces | Affari Esteri | Foreign Affairs | Archivi | Archives | ENI
.

.

P A N O R A M A I T A L I A

Italy — A culturally and linguistically diverse nation, united in 1861 by the hand of the Savoyards and by the tongue of the Florentines. From the passions of nationalism, fueling a national unification movement spanning the last decades of the 19th century through the Great War, the Peninsula soon found itself engulfed by the thought of a modern and visionary man who declared it home of the poets, artists, saints and navigators: Benito Mussolini. But after twenty-one years in power, a series of catastrophic events precipitated his downfall. The Savoy Monarchy, which had condoned the worst abuses and had therefore rendered itself responsible for much of Italy's years of darkness during the Second World War, would have found itself vilified, had it not been for the heroic stay of the royal heir, Prince Umberto, when Rome became for a short time an "open city" in 1943.

Today, albeit divided, the nation finds itself in an economic golden age, wherein Italian talent and ingenuity has enabled the spectacular rise of its industry and agriculture. Steel arches and intricate machinery have supplanted the heroic artistic feats of the artists of old, but art no less is still alive, resulting in a vibrant cinema industry and a new vision corresponding the modern age.

Government & Politics

Italy is a constitutional monarchy, characterized by a strong centralized administration. Authority to vote legislation and elect the cabinet is vested in Parliament, which then submits each of the aforementioned to royal assent. It is customary for the King to approve the Parliament's decision. The 1947 Constitution, approved by way of referendum, enshrines the existence of the House of Savoy as the reigning dynasty, and stipulates that the state-endorsed religion is Catholic Christianity.

King Umberto II - Reign Start: 1946	Prime Minister Amintore Fanfani (DC) - In office since 27 July 1960

Parliament

Senate

Chamber of Deputies

Major parties

Resources & Industries

TDB

Culture

TDB