presidenza

Presidenza is the Italian term for the office or period of a president, and more broadly for the act of presiding over a body. In political language, the word denotes both the office of the head of state and, more generally, the leadership of a committee, council, or other institution.

Etymology: the term derives from Latin praesidēns and praesidēre, related to presiding over proceedings. In Italian usage it covers the office as well as the act of presiding, and is commonly used in phrases such as Presidenza della Repubblica or Presidenza del Consiglio.

Presidenza della Repubblica is the institution of the head of state of the Italian Republic. The President is elected for seven years by Parliament and regional representatives. The role is largely representative and custodial of the Constitution, but includes powers such as appointing the Prime Minister, promulgating laws, inviting parties to form a government, and, under certain conditions, dissolving Parliament or referring matters to constitutional review.

In addition to the national presidency, Presidenza is used for the presidency of legislative bodies (for example, the President of the Chamber of Deputies or the Senate) or for the leadership of organizations and committees. The term also appears in other languages and contexts where a chief executive or chair presides over proceedings, with varying degrees of formal authority.

Overall, the concept of presidency varies by constitutional order: in parliamentary systems the presidency is often ceremonial; in presidential systems the presidency typically combines head of state and head of government functions. The term remains a central descriptor in political vocabularies of many countries.