The primacy of the constitution is clearly stated at the very beginning of the Italian constitution. Liability for crime is personal and non-transferable. Persons with disabilities and handicaps are entitled to education and vocational training.
Whether a child is born out of wedlock or not, parents are bound to exercise due responsibilities towards the child. Italian law shall be enacted in such a way that it does not distinguish in application between children born in wedlock and children born out of wedlock.
These are positive aspects. Now let's discuss the negative aspects.
The Catholic Church is declared "independent" rather than subservient to the state. While almost everywhere else in the world citizens are able to vote at the age of 18, Italy requires a minimum age of 25 to vote in Senate elections.
Admirable Articles of Italy's Constitution
Art 1
Italy is a democratic Republic founded on labour.
Sovereignty belongs to the people and is exercised by the people in the forms and within the limits of the Constitution.
Art 3
All citizens have equal social dignity and are equal before the law, without distinction of sex, race, language, religion, political opinion, personal and social conditions.
It is the duty of the Republic to remove those obstacles of an economic or social nature which constrain the freedom and equality of citizens, thereby impeding the full development of the human person and the effective participation of all workers in the political, economic and social organisation of the country.
Art 9
The Republic promotes the development of culture and of scientific and technical research.
It safeguards natural landscape and the historical and artistic heritage of the Nation.
Art 15
Freedom and confidentiality of correspondence and of every other form of communication is inviolable.
Limitations may only be imposed by judicial decision stating the reasons and in accordance with the guarantees provided by the law.
Art 16
Every citizen has the right to reside and travel freely in any part of the country, except for such general limitations as may be established by law for reasons of health or security. No restriction may be imposed for political reasons.
Every citizen is free to leave the territory of the republic and return to it, notwithstanding any legal obligations.
Art 27
Criminal responsibility is personal.
A defendant shall be considered not guilty until a final sentence has been passed.
Punishments may not be inhuman and shall aim at re-educating the convicted.
Death penalty is prohibited.
Art 30
It is the duty and right of parents to support, raise and educate their children, even if born out of wedlock.
In the case of incapacity of the parents, the law provides for the fulfilment of their duties.
The law ensures such legal and social protection measures as are compatible with the rights of the members of the legitimate family to any children born out of wedlock.
The law shall establish rules and constraints for the determination of paternity.
Art 38
Every citizen unable to work and without the necessary means of subsistence is entitled to welfare support.
Workers have the right to be assured adequate means for their needs and necessities in the case of accidents, illness, disability, old age and involuntary unemployment.
Disabled and handicapped persons are entitled to receive education and vocational training.
Responsibilities under this article are entrusted to entities and institutions established by or supported by the State.
Private-sector assistance may be freely provided.
Art 44
For the purpose of ensuring the rational use of land and equitable social relationships, the law imposes obligations and constraints on private ownership of land; it sets limitations to the size of property according to the region and the agricultural area; encourages and imposes land reclamation, the conversion of latifundia and the reorganisation of farm units; and assists small and medium-sized properties.
The law makes provisions for mountain areas.
Art 46
For the economic and social betterment of workers and in harmony with the needs of production, the Republic recognises the rights of workers to collaborate in the management of enterprises, in the ways and within the limits established by law.
Art 47
The Republic encourages and safeguards savings in all forms. It regulates, co-ordinates and oversees the operation of credit.
The Republic promotes house and farm ownership and direct and indirect shareholding in the main national enterprises through the use of private savings.
Art 67
Each Member of Parliament represents the Nation and carries out his duties without a binding mandate.
Facts of Italy's Constitution
Art 7
The State and the Catholic Church are independent and sovereign, each within its own sphere.
Their relations are regulated by the Lateran pacts. Amendments to such Pacts which are accepted by both parties shall not require the procedure of constitutional amendments.
Art 8
All religious denominations are equally free before the law.
Denominations other than Catholicism have the right to self-organisation according to their own statutes, provided these do not conflict with Italian law.
Their relations with the State are regulated by law, based on agreements with their respective representatives.
Art 20
No special limitation or tax burden may be imposed on the establishment, legal capacity or activities of any organisation on the ground of its religious nature or its religious or confessional aims.
Art 56
The Chamber of deputies is elected by direct and universal suffrage.
Art 58
Senators are elected by universal and direct suffrage by voters who are twenty-five years of age.
Voters who have attained the age of forty are eligible to be elected to the Senate.
Art 59
Former Presidents of the Republic are Senators by right and for life unless they renounce the office.
The President of the Republic may appoint citizens who have honoured the Nation through their outstanding achievements in the social, scientific, artistic and literary fields
as life Senators. The total number of sitting Senators appointed by the
President of the Republic may not, under any circumstances, be greater
than five.
