La composizione del nuovo Senato e la sua (ancora) incerta natura

The essay examines the fundamental choices that, in continuity with previous constitutional reform bills, have brought to design the new Senate as composed of regional councillors and mayors. Arguing that these choices are inevitably the outcome of political compromises, it nonetheless points out how overall they appear substantially consistent. The essay further states that the real game on the true nature of the new Senate seems, indeed, yet to be played and its role will depend on the clarification - during the crucial implementing phase - of some important unknowns, regarding its composition and internal functioning. Moreover, it underlines that each senator will be called to ensure multiple representative roles: her/his political party, her/his territory and her/his institutional entity. It is difficult to predict which of those "cleavages" will prevail, however the essay points out that the constitutional bill seems to boost those mechanisms that encourage the relevance and even the prevalence of the territorial one. Finally, after an analysis of some transitional provisions, the essay concludes highlighting that a decisive role, even more relevant than what normally happens, will be played by the new rules of procedures of the Senate, which should be adopted as soon as possible.