San Marino is a state in Europe, entirely within Italy. The population of this country is approx 34,000 with 61 square kilometers area. The official language is Italian, and 91% of the citizens are Christian.
The Constitution San Marino is not a single document, rather distributed over a number of legislative instruments, the most important of which are the Statutes of 1600 and the Declaration of Citizen Rights of 1974, as amended in 2002.
Various rights are guaranteed, including universal suffrage, the right to form political parties, and the right to work and social security.
These are positive aspects. Now let's discuss the negative aspects.
The Grand and General Council elects two Captains Regent as Heads of State. To maintain a balance of power, two Captains are elected, one from the government party and one from the opposition party. They serve jointly.
Admirable Articles of San Marino's Constitution
DECREE N. 79 of 8th July 2002
DECLARATION ON THE CITIZENS’ RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF SAN MARINO CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER. COORDINATED TEXT OF LAW N. 59 OF 8TH JULY 1974, WITH THE AMENDMENTS RESULTING FROM LAW N. 95 OF 19TH SEPTEMBER 2000 AND LAW N. 36 OF 26TH FEBRUARY 2002
Article 7 (art. 7, Law N. 59/1974)
Suffrage shall be universal, secret and direct. Each citizen, at the age and under the requirements laid down by the law, shall have the right to vote and be voted.
Article 8 (art. 8, Law N. 59/1974)
All citizens shall have the right to form, in a democratic way, political parties and trade unions.
Article 9 (art. 9, Law N. 59/1974)
Each citizen shall have both the right and duty to work. Fair remuneration, annual holidays, weekly rest and the right to strike shall be secured by law.
All citizens shall be entitled to social security.
Article 10 (art. 10, Law N. 59/1974)
Private property and entrepreneurship shall be secured. Limitations shall be determined by law for the purpose of protecting general interest.
Expropriation of private property shall be allowed, under the terms envisaged by the law, in the public interest and against just compensation.
The Republic shall protect its historical and artistic heritage, as well as its natural environment.
Article 11 (art. 11, Law N. 59/1974)
Within the fields of education, work, sports- and leisure activities, the Republic shall promote the development of the personality of the young and shall educate them to a free and responsible exercise of their fundamental rights.
Article 13 (art. 13, Law N. 59/1974)
All citizens shall abide by the laws and be loyal to the institutions of the Republic, shall participate in its defence and contribute to public expenses in proportion to their capacity.
No other payments in cash or in kind shall be imposed other than those prescribed by law.
Article 14 (art. 14 Law N. 59/1974)
The public administration shall conform its activity to the criteria of legality, impartiality and efficiency.
Administrative measures shall be motivated and the debate among interested parties established by law.
Civil servants shall be held responsible for any acts detrimental to the citizens’ rights, according to the provisions laid down by the law.
Facts of San Marino's Constitution
DECREE N. 79 of 8th July 2002
DECLARATION ON THE CITIZENS’ RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF SAN MARINO CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER. COORDINATED TEXT OF LAW N. 59 OF 8TH JULY 1974, WITH THE AMENDMENTS RESULTING FROM LAW N. 95 OF 19TH SEPTEMBER 2000 AND LAW N. 36 OF 26TH FEBRUARY 2002
Article 3 (art. 3, Law N. 36/2002)
The Office of Head of State shall be held jointly
by two Captains Regent. The Captains Regent, appointed by the Great and
General Council, shall represent the State as a national unity. They
shall be the supreme guarantors of the constitutional order.
