1. Italy By: Miranda Armiger

2. The People of Italy Nationality: Italians Population : 60.3 million Ethnic Groups : Italian (primarily), German-, Slovene, French -, Albanian Italians (partially) Language: Italian Religion: Roman Catholic Work Force: 24.97 million – services=67% industry and commerce= 29% agriculture Unemployment Rate: 7.8%

3. Government Republic since June 2, 1946 Constitution formed January 1, 1948 Executive Branch is the president (chief of state) Legislative Branch is the bicameral parliament (630-member Chamber of Deputies, 315-member Senate) Judicial Branch are the independent constitutional court and Lower magistracy 94 provinces and 20 regions

4. The Election Process  The president is elected by parliament to serve for seven years  The 315 members of Senate are elected through a party-list proportional representation system serving for 5 years thereafter, 5 members are elected by the president and 2 are filled ex officio. The same requirements apply in the Chamber of Deputies  Next Presidential Election: May 2013  Next Parliamentary Election: April 2013

5. Italy’s Economy  5 th largest industrial economy  Major industries include precision machinery, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, electric goods, fashion and clothing  The economic strength comes from the processing and manufacturing of these goods by medium-sized family owned businesses  Just as any other country, Italy has budget deficit and high public debt, but they have to keep the debt beneath a 3% ceiling  Unemployment ranges from low in the north and high in the south due to problems like inadequate infrastructure, corruption, and organized crime acts

6. Major Problems o Lowest recorded employment rate only 58% o Highest public spending rate o Trouble sustaining big firms o 42 nd among “ network readiness index ” ( computing and telecommunication ) o Job creation is at a halt

7. Political Factions People of Liberty- descendent of Pole of Freedom originally consisted of 8 parties led by Silvio Berlusconi Democratic Party- descendent of the Olive Tree Coalition originally consisted of 11 parties Led by Communist Pierluigi Bersani