About Italy

The Italian Republic is a unitary state subdivided into 20 regions, 5 of which have held a Special Status as autonomous regions since World War II. The reasons have to do with cultural and/or linguistic and/or georgraphic distinctiveness. These regions are according to Article 116 of the Constitution Friuli-Venezia Guilia, Sardinia, Sicily, Trentino-Alto Adige, and Val d'Aosta. Since 1972, the German-speaking Province of South Tyrol in the Region of Trentino-Alto Adige has had special status as an Autonomous Province. This status gives it greater independence from central government than that enjoyed by regions. Since 1988 German has equal status in the Province with Italian. In 1992 South Tyrol was eventually granted extensive legislative and administrative devolution. All Italian legislation must be submitted to the Südtiroler Landtag before becoming law in the Province. South Tyrol also has its own revenue base of catalogue of 137 individual conceptences and functions accorded to South Tyrol under the Statute of Autonomy, independence in cultural matters certainly weighs highest.

Also in 1992 the republic of Austria, as protecting power has executed all implementing provisions of the Statute of Autonomy. Violations of this Statute can be taken to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

The autonomous regions and South Tyrol have all elected unicameral councils.

(No submissions were received from Trentino-Alto Adige and Valle d'Aosta)

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