Abstract

The growing political involvement of the Italian Head of State started in the late 1980s. The phenomenon is generally attributable to the deficiencies and the inadequateness of the political system and, more recently, to the harsh tension between the two poles of the political spectrum that has prevailed in a context of «delegitimization» of the constitution. In this context the aspiration for neutrality of the Head of State has faded, while both majority and opposition tend to define the President for his proximity or hostility to the government. The constitutional setting appears undeniably altered in comparison with the original parliamentary model designed by the 1948 Constitution. However, the system cannot be considered legitimately and definitely transformed just through repeated interlocution of the Head of the State with the various political forces outside of the formal schemes provided by the constitution. Napolitano's seven years term in office not only confirms a sizeable «declamatory interventionism» by the President on current political issues, but it also shows a deliberate attempt to influence the political direction pursued by the government. Napolitano seems to be the «solitary» owner of a clear vision of what is politically and institutionally desirable for the country; this attitude puts even more distance between the current constitutional practice and the original model of the written constitution.