Senators take part in the fundamental process of enacting new laws and in their discussion: they generally represent a political party, a specific Italian region and its inhabitants. That of a senator is a position of great prestige and which brings with it numerous advantages, but we must not forget that it also implies numerous duties of great responsibility. If you want to learn more about how to make your way into the world of politics and become a senator, this article has the answers you are looking for.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Starting Your Political Career
Step 1. Understand what the Senate of the Republic is
In Italy, in fact, the Senate is one of the two legislative assemblies that make up the Parliament, together with the Chamber of Deputies. It is made up of 315 elected senators, whose office ends with the end of the relevant legislature.
Remember that in these days the situation in the Italian Senate is changing rapidly. The government of Matteo Renzi in fact proposed, in September 2014, a structural reform of the senate aimed at reducing the number of senators from 315 to 100. Furthermore, if the reform were approved, the senators would no longer be elected directly by the citizens, but chosen from among the mayors and regional councilors
Step 2. Understand what a senator does
Get a good understanding of what a senator's job requires before deciding to pursue this career. It is in fact a profession that requires a lot of patience, as well as a deep interest in the world of politics.
- The primary occupation of a senator is to vote on proposals for new laws. The Italian parliamentary system is in fact a perfect two-chamber system, in which both chambers perform the same functions, albeit in different ways.
- Senators are often called upon to offer their expert opinion in specialized committees and councils on a specific issue. If you have a strong interest in a particular issue, such as trade or environmental protection, by becoming a senator you may have the opportunity to contribute and propose relevant laws on the matter.
- The senators represent the different Italian regions: apart from Valle d'Aosta which is represented by a single senator and Molise which can boast two representatives, the other regions can have a maximum of seven senators. Six senators are elected from the foreign constituency.
Step 3. Follow current news
Try to follow as many news as possible. Read the newspapers. Find out about the latest news, especially regarding political events. Search your sources in more than one newspaper and always follow different television networks and websites, even those with which you disagree. Develop your critical thinking skills and question what you read and hear.
Talk about politics with your friends. If you have a friend who is interested in politics, but thinks differently from you, discuss with him: it will be an excellent opportunity for comparison. Don't take the discussion personally so as not to damage your friendship; however, consider it a good practice to learn to understand the opinions of people with a political position different from yours
Step 4. Form your own political opinion
You probably already have an opinion on some important issues, but always try to go into detail. Choose which topics are most important to you and think about what needs to be done on the subject to make things work better.
Focus on what you will do once you are elected, not on what you need to do to get to office. Sure, you will need to reach a good base of supporters, but even if you are elected once by lying to the voters, in all likelihood you will not be able to get reelected the next time
Step 5. Start with local politics
To become a senator, it is generally useful to be part of a political party, even if not necessary. If you think a particular party could represent your ideas, contact the local representatives and ask if you can work as a volunteer or if it is possible to fill some job position. If you want to remain independent, try to get experience as a volunteer in the world of student representation at your high school or university.
- Committed to the social. Many non-profit organizations seek out volunteers to spread the word about specific issues. If you find a topic that is particularly close to your heart, especially if it is relevant to the political scene of the moment, you may want to try contacting an organization and making a personal commitment to them.
- If you don't have access to a full-time job, find out when city council or political party meetings take place. They are often open to the public and can teach you a lot about how a political process works.
Step 6. Go to a university
It is not a requirement to become a senator, but being elected without being a graduate is still very difficult. Compared to graduated senators, in fact, those with a high school diploma are in a clear minority.
You could choose to attend the Faculty of Political Science or that of Law. Both degree courses, in fact, allow you to deepen disciplines and topics that are very useful for the activity of a senator
Step 7. Make a career
Many future senators try to establish a network of connections and interpersonal relationships by building a career in the world of law, business, non-profit organizations or the military before running for office. You don't have to follow a traditional path, but a job that involves the possibility of helping others will give you greater visibility.
Part 2 of 3: Getting to the Senate
Step 1. Meet the basic requirements
To be elected as a senator, in fact, you must be an Italian citizen and be at least 40 years old.
- Remember that, if elected, you will remain in office for the entire term of the legislature, which is a maximum of 5 years. In case of premature dissolution of the rooms, however, you will lose your charge.
- Remember that senators can be elected by all Italian citizens who have reached 25 years of age, unlike deputies, who must be at least 18 years old to vote.
Step 2. If you are still too young to be elected as a senator, you may want to try becoming a deputy first
The job of a deputy is similar to that of a senator and it takes only 25 years to fill this office.
Step 3. Engage in an election campaign
Once you have completed your studies and gained some basic experience in local political activities, try to learn the trade by participating in the election campaign of a more experienced candidate. Instead of throwing yourself headlong into national electoral campaigns, also try to start from the bottom, such as from the elections for the position of mayor of your country or from that of the president of the province or region.
Step 4. Try to connect with as many people as possible
In fact, if you plan to apply yourself, you will need a support network made up of different types of people. Start with your friends, family and colleagues, but don't forget to speak personally to local voters and organizations operating in the area.
Step 5. Raise some funds
Ask for donations from your supporters. You will need a lot of money to get your message out. If you belong to a party, however, you can rely on public party funding money.
Step 6. Try running for a minor political role
Try to gain experience in a different political office, or in more than one - it's an excellent way to get noticed, gain experience and build a personal network of supporters. Try running for mayor or councilor for your city or province, or even just as a member of the board of a school or for any other position that suits you. Make a career in the lower branches of local politics and fill as many positions as possible, accumulating the experience you will need to carry out your election campaign to access the senate.
Step 7. Join the Senate
In Italy, to join the senate you have to be elected by the citizens, so it is important to accumulate the visibility and experience necessary to convince people to vote for you and thus become part of the Senate of the Republic.
Part 3 of 3: Other Important Senator Information
Step 1. Keep in mind the importance of elections
It is not possible to become a senator through a competition: the only way to fill this position is through an election campaign. If a senator elected in a regional constituency dies or resigns before the end of a term, however, the next candidate in the same group will be called to fill his position.
In the event of a vacant seat for a candidate elected with a majority system, however, a further election in the relevant college will be required
Step 2. Become a Senator for Life
The mandate of some senators does not expire at the end of the relevant legislature, but lasts for a lifetime. It is an honor given to personalities who have distinguished themselves for merit and excellence, such as:
- Former presidents of the republic. All the presidents of the republic become senators for life at the end of their mandate, unless they are renounced.
- Deserving personalities: the President of the Republic can choose and appoint senators for life Italian personalities who have distinguished themselves for very high merits in various sectors, such as in the social, artistic or literary sphere.
Step 3. Senators, over the course of their term, receive various state grants and enjoy significant privileges, such as:
- Parliamentary allowance: a sum paid to the senator as a guarantee of the free development of his mandate and which is approximately € 5600.
- Daily allowance: a sum paid to the senator as a reimbursement for living expenses in Rome and which is around € 4000.
- Reimbursement of various expenses incurred, such as transport, operating and telephone expenses. The senator will also be entitled to an end-of-term allowance, supplementary health care and a life allowance, provided that he has completed at least 5 years of service.
Advice
- If you are a private citizen and want to visit the Senate in person, you can take the opportunity to do so on one of the scheduled days of opening to the public, upon payment of an access ticket.
- Having a famous surname can help get you elected, but it's always best to work hard and make your own name. This way your colleagues and the public will respect you more.
