The Italian PArliament at work. 1861-1876

This article examines the composition and the procedure of the two Italian chambers during the period of the so-called Destra storica (the Historical Right) (1861–76). The Italian Parliament was composed of an elective chamber, whose members were elected by a narrow electorate, and an upper chamber, whose members were appointed by the king for life. This different origin had consequences for their procedure and also for the growing pre-eminence of the elective chamber. But both chambers had to face the problem of wide absenteeism among their members. The author examines this phenomenon, and the remedies which were suggested to overcome it. He also studies the different stages of the legislative process, which was largely based on the government's initiative.