type of government
Italy has a Federal government which is a government that distributes its power to the local governments.
Leaders
Branches of government
Italy's government branches off into an executive, judicial, and legislative branch. The executive branch of Italy contains Italy's president, who is head of state, and Italy's prime minister, who is head of government. Italy's legislative branch consists of a bicameral parliament with an upper house and a lower house. The Judicial branch of Italy has highest courts, which includes the supreme court of Cassation or Courte Supreme di Cassazione and Constitutional Court or Corte Costituzionale. The Judicial branch of Italy has subordinate courts which are lower class criminal courts.
Regional governments
The Italian Republic is split into 20 regions. Those 20 regions are split into 51 provinces. Each region has some power over taxation, education, and the environment.
Structure
The head of the state is an electoral college elected president. The electoral college is comprised of representative from various regions of Italy. Italy has two houses that comprise Parliament; the upper house and the lower house. Both houses are elected for a five year term. Laws can be initiated be either house, however approval must come from both houses. The president appoints a prime minister from the lower house to be in charge of the government.