Art. 83

The President of the Republic is elected by Parliament in joint session of its members.

Three delegates from every Region elected by the Regional Council so as to ensure that minorities are represented shall participate in the election. Valle d’Aosta has one delegate only.

The election of the President of the Republic is by secret ballot with a majority of two thirds of the assembly. After the third ballot an absolute majority shall suffice.

Art. 84

Any citizen who has attained fifty ...

years of age and enjoys civil and political rights can be elected President of the Republic.

The office of President of the Republic is incompatible with any other office.

Compensation and endowments of the President are established by law.

Art. 85

The President of the Republic is elected for seven years.Thirty days before the expiration of the term, the President of the Chamber of Deputies shall summon a joint session of Parliament and the regional delegates to elect the new President of the Republic. If the Houses are dissolved, or there are less than three months from their dissolution, the election shall take place within fifteen days of the meeting of the new Houses.

In the intervening time, the powers of the incumbent President are extended.

Art. 86

The functions of the President of the Republic, in all cases in which the President cannot perform them, shall be exercised by the President of the Senate.

In the case of permanent incapacity or death or resignation of the President of the Republic, the President of the Chamber of Deputies shall call an election of a new President of the Republic within fifteen days, except in the case of the longer term which is provided for when the Houses are dissolved and are within less than three months to their dissolution.

Art. 87

The President of the Republic is the Head of the State and represents national unity.

The President may send messages to the Houses.

The President shall:

• authorise the introduction to the Houses of bills initiated by the Government.
• promulgate the laws and issue decrees having the force of law as well as regulations.
• call popular referenda in the cases provided for by the Constitution.
• appoint State officials in the cases provided for by law.
• accredit and receive diplomatic representatives, and ratify international treaties which have, where required, been authorised by the Houses.

The President is the commander of the armed forces, shall preside over the Supreme Council of Defence established by law, and shall make declarations of war which have been decided by the Chambers.

The President shall preside over the High Council of the Judiciary.

The President may grant pardons and commute punishments.

The President shall confer the honorary distinctions of the Republic.

Art. 88

The President of the Republic, having heard the Presidents of the Houses, may dissolve Parliament or even only one House.

The President of the Republic cannot exercise said right during the last six months of the presidential mandate, unless said period coincides in full or in part with the last six months of Parliament.

Art. 89

No act of the President of the Republic is valid if it is not signed by the proposing Ministers, who assume responsibility for it.

The acts which have legislative strength and those laid down by law shall be countersigned also by the President of the Council of Ministers.

Art. 90

The President of the Republic is not responsible for the actions performed in the exercise of the presidential duties, except in the case of high treason or attempt against the Constitution.

In such cases, the President may be impeached by Parliament in joint session, with an absolute majority of its members.

Art. 91

The President of the Republic, before taking office, shall take an oath of allegiance to the Republic and swear to uphold the Constitution before Parliament in joint session.