|
|
|
|
Population in 2005
‑ 58.1 mil.
|
|
Lowest fertility rate in world
|
|
Population barely stable with significant
in-migration and would clearly be shrinking without it
|
|
Higher population density than Canada,
Sweden or France, below Britain and Germany
|
|
Percent of population 65 or older, is
highest in course at almost 25% in 2002
|
|
|
|
Weak democratic
traditions ‑
|
|
Universal male voting (>30) just
achieved in 1912 and women allowed to vote only after WWII
|
|
|
|
1946 referendum
ended monarchy
|
|
Constitution adopted 1947 and went into
effect in 1948
|
|
|
|
2 house parliament -
Senate and Chamber of Deputies
|
|
Senate 315 seats,
232 directly elected and 83 by regional proportional representation, plus
small number of Senators for life (e.g. former presidents).
|
|
Deputies 630 seats,
474 directly elected and 155 by regional proportional representation
|
|
Must have 4% of vote
to get any seats in proportional representation
|
|
Unlike most
parliamentary systems, the two house have equal legislative powers
|
|
|
|
President elected by
Parliament and regional representatives for seven year term
|
|
Carlo Azeglio
(elected 1999)
|
|
Head of state with
pretty much the same powers as a constitutional monarch
|