Lezioni comparate per il nuovo Senato italiano

This article analyzes the new Italian Senate (as shaped by the constitutional reform the fate of which will be decided by a referendum) in comparative perspective with special, but not exclusive, reference to the territorial chambers of Austria, Belgium and France. The aim is to better understand the potential impact and value of the Italian reform. The analysis leads to comparative lessons that highlight both limits and opportunities of the new Senate. The main limits refer to, on the one hand, the legislative function, which is downsized by the introduction of a unicameral legislative procedure and, on the other hand, the function of territorial representation, which may be weakened by the predominance of national party politics given the composition of the new chamber combined with the centralization of the Italian party system. Although these limits point to a risk of legislative and political marginalization, the reform design does not prevent the new Senate from developing a significant role, with main reference to its powers to control public administrations, evaluate public policies and participate in European policy-making. Moreover, it could perform a new function of political mediation to reconcile the country’s variety of territorial interests and settle centre-periphery conflicts at the seat of national sovereignty.