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Government Stats: compare key data on Italy & Netherlands

Definitions

  • Administrative divisions: This entry generally gives the numbers, designatory terms, and first-order administrative divisions as approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN). Changes that have been reported but not yet acted on by BGN are noted.
  • Capital city > Geographic coordinates: This entry gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
  • Capital city > Name: This entry gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
  • Constitution: The dates of adoption, revisions, and major amendments to a nation's constitution
  • Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
  • Executive branch > Cabinet: Cabinet includes the official name for any body of high-ranking advisers roughly comparable to a U.S. Cabinet. Also notes the method for selection of members.
  • Executive branch > Chief of state: The name and title of any person or role roughly equivalent to a U.S. Chief of State. This means the titular leader of the country who represents the state at official and ceremonial functions but may not be involved with the day-to-day activities of the government
  • Executive branch > Head of government: Head of government includes the name and title of the top administrative leader who is designated to manage the day-to-day activities of the government. For example, in the UK, the monarch is the chief of state, and the prime minister is the head of government. In the US, the president is both the chief of state and the head of government.
  • Government type: A description of the basic form of government (e.g., republic, constitutional monarchy, federal republic, parliamentary democracy, military dictatorship).
  • Judicial branch: The name(s) of the highest court(s) and a brief description of the selection process for members.
  • Legal system: A brief description of the legal system's historical roots, role in government, and acceptance of International Court of Justice (ICJ) jurisdiction.
  • Legislative branch: This entry contains information on the structure (unicameral, bicameral, tricameral), formal name, number of seats, and term of office. Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote and/or number of seats held by each party in the last election.
  • Political parties and leaders: Significant political organizations and their leaders.
  • Political pressure groups and leaders: Organizations with leaders involved in politics, but not standing for legislative election.
  • Suffrage: The age at enfranchisement and whether the right to vote is universal or restricted
  • International organization participation: This entry lists in alphabetical order by abbreviation those international organizations in which the subject country is a member or participates in some other way.
  • Country name > Conventional long form: This entry is derived from Government > Country name, which includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form (Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation. Also see the Terminology note.
  • Civil law system: Description.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Executive branch > Elections: Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election
  • National symbol(s): A national symbol is a faunal, floral, or other abstract representation - or some distinctive object - that over time has come to be closely identified with a country or entity. Not all countries have national symbols; a few countries have more than one.
  • Flag description: A written flag description produced from actual flags or the best information available at the time the entry was written. The flags of independent states are used by their dependencies unless there is an officially recognized local flag. Some disputed and other areas do not have flags.
  • Red tape > Time required to start a business > Days: Time required to start a business (days). Time required to start a business is the number of calendar days needed to complete the procedures to legally operate a business. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen.
  • Country name > Conventional short form: This entry is derived from Government > Country name, which includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form (Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation. Also see the Terminology note.
  • Constitutional form: Constitutional form of government.
  • Transnational Issues > Disputes > International: This entry includes a wide variety of situations that range from traditional bilateral boundary disputes to unilateral claims of one sort or another. Information regarding disputes over international terrestrial and maritime boundaries has been reviewed by the US Department of State. References to other situations involving borders or frontiers may also be included, such as resource disputes, geopolitical questions, or irredentist issues; however, inclusion does not necessarily constitute official acceptance or recognition by the US Government.
  • Total businesses registered > Number: Total businesses registered. Because of underreporting of firms that have closed or exited, especially in developing countries, the data on total registered firms may be biased upward.
  • National anthem: A generally patriotic musical composition - usually in the form of a song or hymn of praise - that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, or struggles of a nation or its people. National anthems can be officially recognized as a national song by a country's constitution or by an enacted law, or simply by tradition. Although most anthems contain lyrics, some do not.
  • Legislative branch > Election results: This entry contains information on the structure (unicameral, bicameral, tricameral), formal name, number of seats, and term of office. Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote and/or number of seats held by each party in the last election.
  • Legislative branch > Elections: This entry contains information on the structure (unicameral, bicameral, tricameral), formal name, number of seats, and term of office. Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote and/or number of seats held by each party in the last election.
  • Democracy and rights > Press freedom index: Compares countries by their degree of government censorship, according to the Press freedom index. This index, created by the non-governmental organization Reporters without borders (RWS), is ellaborated using data from an extensive annual survey sent to professional reporters throughout the world. The survey contains questions about the type and ownership of media present in the country, freedom of speech, violence exerted against reporters, election campaigns, access of political parties to the media, etc.
  • Parliament > Seats held by women > Percentage: Percentage of seats held by women in country's national parliament or legislative houses.
  • Independence: For most countries, this entry gives the date that sovereignty was achieved and from which nation, empire, or trusteeship. For the other countries, the date given may not represent "independence" in the strict sense, but rather some significant nationhood event such as the traditional founding date or the date of unification, federation, confederation, establishment, fundamental change in the form of government, or state succession. Dependent areas include the notation "none" followed by the nature of their dependency status. "
  • Judicial branch > Subordinate courts: This entry is derived from Government > Judicial branch, which includes three subfields. The highest court(s) subfield includes the name(s) of a country's highest level court(s), the number and titles of the judges, and the types of cases heard by the court, which commonly are based on civil, criminal, administrative, and constitutional law. A number of countries have separate constitutional courts. The judge selection and term of office subfield includes the organizations and associated officials responsible for nominating and appointing judges, and a brief description of the process. The selection process can be indicative of the independence of a country's court system from other branches of its government. Also included in this subfield are judges' tenures, which can range from a few years, to a specified retirement age, to lifelong appointments. The subordinate courts subfield lists the courts lower in the hierarchy of a country's court system. A few countries with federal-style governments, such as Brazil, Canada, and the US, in addition to their federal court, have separate state- or province-level court systems, though generally the two systems interact.
  • Basis of executive legitimacy: Basis of executive legitimacy.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Transnational Issues > Illicit drugs: This entry gives information on the five categories of illicit drugs - narcotics, stimulants, depressants (sedatives), hallucinogens, and cannabis. These categories include many drugs legally produced and prescribed by doctors as well as those illegally produced and sold outside of medical channels.
    Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) is the common hemp plant, which provides hallucinogens with some sedative properties, and includes marijuana (pot, Acapulco gold, grass, reefer), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, Marinol), hashish (hash), and hashish oil (hash oil).
    Coca (mostly Erythroxylum coca) is a bush with leaves that contain the stimulant used to make cocaine. Coca is not to be confused with cocoa, which comes from cacao seeds and is used in making chocolate, cocoa, and cocoa butter.
    Cocaine is a stimulant derived from the leaves of the coca bush.
    Depressants (sedatives) are drugs that reduce tension and anxiety and include chloral hydrate, barbiturates (Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, phenobarbital), benzodiazepines (Librium, Valium), methaqualone (Quaalude), glutethimide (Doriden), and others (Equanil, Placidyl, Valmid).
    Drugs are any chemical substances that effect a physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral change in an individual.
    Drug abuse is the use of any licit or illicit chemical substance that results in physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral impairment in an individual.
    Hallucinogens are drugs that affect sensation, thinking, self-awareness, and emotion. Hallucinogens include LSD (acid, microdot), mescaline and peyote (mexc, buttons, cactus), amphetamine variants (PMA, STP, DOB), phencyclidine (PCP, angel dust, hog), phencyclidine analogues (PCE, PCPy, TCP), and others (psilocybin, psilocyn).
    Hashish is the resinous exudate of the cannabis or hemp plant (Cannabis sativa).
    Heroin is a semisynthetic derivative of morphine.
    Mandrax is a trade name for methaqualone, a pharmaceutical depressant.
    Marijuana is the dried leaf of the cannabis or hemp plant (Cannabis sativa).
    Methaqualone is a pharmaceutical depressant, referred to as mandrax in Southwest Asia and Africa.
    Narcotics are drugs that relieve pain, often induce sleep, and refer to opium, opium derivatives, and synthetic substitutes. Natural narcotics include opium (paregoric, parepectolin), morphine (MS-Contin, Roxanol), codeine (Tylenol with codeine, Empirin with codeine, Robitussin AC), and thebaine. Semisynthetic narcotics ...
    Full definition
  • Country name > Local short form: This entry is derived from Government > Country name, which includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form (Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation. Also see the Terminology note.
  • Democracy and rights > Freedom of the press: Compares countries by freedom of the press. The lower the score, the more free the press of that country is. The scores are taken from the Freedom of the Press Index, elaborated by Freedom House, self-defined as "an independent watchdog organization dedicated to the expansion of freedom around the world". The data used in the index come from an annual survey of media independence in 197 countries and territories, assessing the degree of print, broadcast, and internet freedom in each of them.
  • Corruption > Bribe Payers Index: 2008
  • Proportion of seats held by women in national parliament: Women in parliaments are the percentage of parliamentary seats in a single or lower chamber occupied by women.
  • Diplomatic representation from the US > Embassy: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
  • Red tape > Start-up procedures to register a business > Number: Start-up procedures to register a business (number). Start-up procedures are those required to start a business, including interactions to obtain necessary permits and licenses and to complete all inscriptions, verifications, and notifications to start operations. Data are for businesses with specific characteristics of ownership, size, and type of production.
  • Democracy and rights > Nationalist vote: Percentage of votes at the most recent national election that went to parties with a nationalist ideology.
  • Democracy > Civil and political liberties: Civil and political liberties
    Units: Index Ranging from 7 (High Levels of Liberties) to 1 (Low
    Units: This is the average of two indicators - civil liberties and political liberties.
  • General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in current U.S. dollars.
  • National holiday: The primary national day of celebration - often independence day.
  • Capital > Geographic coordinates: This entry is derived from Government > Capital, which gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
  • Democracy > First female parliamentarian: Year first woman elected or appointed to parliament.
  • Time required to start a business > Days: Time required to start a business is the number of calendar days needed to complete the procedures to legally operate a business. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen.
  • Judicial branch > Judge selection and term of office: This entry is derived from Government > Judicial branch, which includes three subfields. The highest court(s) subfield includes the name(s) of a country's highest level court(s), the number and titles of the judges, and the types of cases heard by the court, which commonly are based on civil, criminal, administrative, and constitutional law. A number of countries have separate constitutional courts. The judge selection and term of office subfield includes the organizations and associated officials responsible for nominating and appointing judges, and a brief description of the process. The selection process can be indicative of the independence of a country's court system from other branches of its government. Also included in this subfield are judges' tenures, which can range from a few years, to a specified retirement age, to lifelong appointments. The subordinate courts subfield lists the courts lower in the hierarchy of a country's court system. A few countries with federal-style governments, such as Brazil, Canada, and the US, in addition to their federal court, have separate state- or province-level court systems, though generally the two systems interact.
  • Democracy and rights > Democracy Index: DI 2012.
  • Red tape > Burden of customs procedure, WEF > 1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient: Burden of customs procedure, WEF (1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient). Burden of Customs Procedure measures business executives' perceptions of their country's efficiency of customs procedures. The rating ranges from 1 to 7, with a higher score indicating greater efficiency. Data are from the World Economic Forum's Executive Opinion Survey, conducted for 30 years in collaboration with 150 partner institutes. The 2009 round included more than 13,000 respondents from 133 countries. Sampling follows a dual stratification based on company size and the sector of activity. Data are collected online or through in-person interviews. Responses are aggregated using sector-weighted averaging. The data for the latest year are combined with the data for the previous year to create a two-year moving average. Respondents evaluated the efficiency of customs procedures in their country. The lowest score (1) rates the customs procedure as extremely inefficient, and the highest score (7) as extremely efficient.
  • Red tape > Time required to register property > Days: Time required to register property (days). Time required to register property is the number of calendar days needed for businesses to secure rights to property.
  • Politics: Country politics.
  • International law organization participation: This entry includes information on a country's acceptance of jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and of the International Criminal Court (ICCt); 55 countries have accepted ICJ jurisdiction with reservations and 11 have accepted ICJ jurisdiction without reservations; 114 countries have accepted ICCt jurisdiction. Appendix B: International Organizations and Groups explains the differing mandates of the ICJ and ICCt.
  • Parliament > Seats held by men: Number of seats held by men in country's naitonal parliament or legislative houses.
  • Country name > Local long form: This entry is derived from Government > Country name, which includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form (Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation. Also see the Terminology note.
  • Red tape > Time to resolve insolvency > Years: Time to resolve insolvency (years). Time to resolve insolvency is the number of years from the filing for insolvency in court until the resolution of distressed assets.
  • Red tape > Start-up procedures to register a business > Number per million: Start-up procedures to register a business (number). Start-up procedures are those required to start a business, including interactions to obtain necessary permits and licenses and to complete all inscriptions, verifications, and notifications to start operations. Data are for businesses with specific characteristics of ownership, size, and type of production. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Diplomatic representation from the US > Telephone: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
  • Diplomatic representation from the US > Chief of mission: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
  • Diplomatic representation in the US > Chancery: This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
  • Diplomatic representation in the US > Chief of mission: This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
  • Parliament > Seats held by women: Number of seats held by women in country's parliament or legislative houses.
  • Democracy > Democratic institutions rating: Democratic institutions
    Units: Scale ranging from -10 (autocratic) to +10 (democratic)
  • Executive branch > Note: This entry includes several subfields. Chief of state includes the name and title of the titular leader of the country who represents the state at official and ceremonial functions but may not be involved with the day-to-day activities of the government. Head of government includes the name and title of the top administrative leader who is designated to manage the day-to-day activities of the government. For example, in the UK, the monarch is the chief of state, and the prime minister is the head of government. In the US, the president is both the chief of state and the head of government. Cabinet includes the official name for this body of high-ranking advisers and the method for selection of members. Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote for each candidate in the last election.
  • UN membership date: Date of United Nations Membership
  • Democracy and rights > Democracy Index per million people: DI 2012. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
  • Total businesses registered > Number per 1000: Total businesses registered. Because of underreporting of firms that have closed or exited, especially in developing countries, the data on total registered firms may be biased upward. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Red tape > Procedures to build a warehouse > Number: Procedures to build a warehouse (number). Number of procedures to build a warehouse is the number of interactions of a company's employees or managers with external parties, including government agency staff, public inspectors, notaries, land registry and cadastre staff, and technical experts apart from architects and engineers.
  • Capital city: The location of the seat of government.
  • Capital > Name: This entry is derived from Government > Capital, which gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
  • Legal origin: Legal origin identifies the origin of the Company Law or Commercial Code in each country
  • General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ > Per capita: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in current U.S. dollars. Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.
  • Spending > Expense > Current LCU: Expense is cash payments for operating activities of the government in providing goods and services. It includes compensation of employees (such as wages and salaries), interest and subsidies, grants, social benefits, and other expenses such as rent and dividends."
  • Red tape > Time required to get electricity > Days: Time required to get electricity (days). Time required to get electricity is the number of days to obtain a permanent electricity connection. The measure captures the median duration that the electricity utility and experts indicate is necessary in practice, rather than required by law, to complete a procedure.
  • Democracy and rights > Year women first voted at national level: Year women first voted at national level.
  • Legislature (parliament) > People per member: Number of people each member of the legislature represents on average. The number of members of the legislature is the sum of the members of all chambers of parliament, if applicable.
  • Capital > Time difference: This entry is derived from Government > Capital, which gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
  • International relations: Country international relations.
  • Red tape > Time required to get electricity > Days per million: Time required to get electricity (days). Time required to get electricity is the number of days to obtain a permanent electricity connection. The measure captures the median duration that the electricity utility and experts indicate is necessary in practice, rather than required by law, to complete a procedure. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Legislature (parliament) > Upper house members: Members of the upper house of the legislature. Does not include countries with a unicameral system.
  • Legislature (parliament) > Lower house members: Members of the lower house of the legislature or of the only chamber in a unicameral system.
  • Red tape > Time required to enforce a contract > Days: Time required to enforce a contract (days). Time required to enforce a contract is the number of calendar days from the filing of the lawsuit in court until the final determination and, in appropriate cases, payment.
  • Democracy > Female parliamentarians: Seats in parliament held by women (as % of total). Data are as of 8 March 2002. Where there are lower and upper houses, data refer to the weighted average of women's shares of seats in both houses.
  • Red tape > Procedures to register property > Number: Procedures to register property (number). Number of procedures to register property is the number of procedures required for a businesses to secure rights to property.
  • Role of head of state: Head of state.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ per capita: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in current U.S. dollars. Figures expressed per capita for the same year.
  • Democracy and rights > Nationalist party (percent of vote): This list shows the percentage of votes obtained by nationalist parties across Europe at the latest  elections held in their respective countries. Note that the percentages show the votes from all the parties combined, and only for general elections (some parties may obtain a quite higher percentage in regional elections). Nationalist parties usually hold right-wing populist views, and among their common demands are a higher control of immigration, extended social/labor rights for country nationals, and a restriction of islamic customs -such as the veil or the construction of mosques-, though their ideologies and goals vary from country to country. Some parties have as their main goal the seggregation of a region from its parent country (with examples in Scotland, Catalonia and Northern Ireland). Most of nationalist parties with elected members in the European Parliament belong to the Europe of Freedom and Democracy group.
  • Start-up procedures to register a business > Number: Start-up procedures are those required to start a business, including interactions to obtain necessary permits and licenses and to complete all inscriptions, verifications, and notifications to start operations. Data are for businesses with specific characteristics of ownership, size, and type of production.
  • Strength of legal rights index > 0=weak to 10=strong: Strength of legal rights index measures the degree to which collateral and bankruptcy laws protect the rights of borrowers and lenders and thus facilitate lending. The index ranges from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating that these laws are better designed to expand access to credit."
  • Red tape > Burden of customs procedure, WEF > 1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient per million: Burden of customs procedure, WEF (1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient). Burden of Customs Procedure measures business executives' perceptions of their country's efficiency of customs procedures. The rating ranges from 1 to 7, with a higher score indicating greater efficiency. Data are from the World Economic Forum's Executive Opinion Survey, conducted for 30 years in collaboration with 150 partner institutes. The 2009 round included more than 13,000 respondents from 133 countries. Sampling follows a dual stratification based on company size and the sector of activity. Data are collected online or through in-person interviews. Responses are aggregated using sector-weighted averaging. The data for the latest year are combined with the data for the previous year to create a two-year moving average. Respondents evaluated the efficiency of customs procedures in their country. The lowest score (1) rates the customs procedure as extremely inefficient, and the highest score (7) as extremely efficient. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Spending > Compensation of employees > Current LCU: Compensation of employees consists of all payments in cash, as well as in kind (such as food and housing), to employees in return for services rendered, and government contributions to social insurance schemes such as social security and pensions that provide benefits to employees."
  • Spending > Subsidies and other transfers > Current LCU: Subsidies, grants, and other social benefits include all unrequited, nonrepayable transfers on current account to private and public enterprises; grants to foreign governments, international organisations, and other government units; and social security, social assistance benefits, and employer social benefits in cash and in kind."
  • Legislature (parliament) > Term of office for upper house members: Members of the upper house*.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ > Per $ GDP: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in current U.S. dollars. Per $ GDP figures expressed per 1 $ gross domestic product.
  • Parliament > Seats held by women per million people: Number of seats held by women in country's parliament or legislative houses. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
  • Democracy > Female suffrage: Year in which women received the right to vote. Data refer to the year in which right to vote or stand for election on a universal and equal basis was recognized. Where two years are shown, the first refers to the first partial recognition of the right to vote.
  • Red tape > Time required to build a warehouse > Days: Time required to build a warehouse (days). Time required to build a warehouse is the number of calendar days needed to complete the required procedures for building a warehouse. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen.
  • Foreign relations > Date of recognition of Syrian National Council: Date on which the Syrian National Council was recognized, at least as a legitimate representative of the Syrian people. For more information, please see http://www.nationmaster.com/country-info/stats/Government/Foreign-relations/International-recognition-of-the-Syrian-National-Council-notes
  • Red tape > Time required to start a business > Days per million: Time required to start a business (days). Time required to start a business is the number of calendar days needed to complete the procedures to legally operate a business. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Red tape > Procedures to enforce a contract > Number per million: Procedures to enforce a contract (number). Number of procedures to enforce a contract are the number of independent actions, mandated by law or courts, that demand interaction between the parties of a contract or between them and the judge or court officer. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Red tape > Time required to register property > Days per million: Time required to register property (days). Time required to register property is the number of calendar days needed for businesses to secure rights to property. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Red tape > Time required to build a warehouse > Days per million: Time required to build a warehouse (days). Time required to build a warehouse is the number of calendar days needed to complete the required procedures for building a warehouse. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Red tape > Procedures to build a warehouse > Number per million: Procedures to build a warehouse (number). Number of procedures to build a warehouse is the number of interactions of a company's employees or managers with external parties, including government agency staff, public inspectors, notaries, land registry and cadastre staff, and technical experts apart from architects and engineers. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Capital > Daylight saving time: This entry is derived from Government > Capital, which gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
  • Total businesses registered > Number > Per capita: Total businesses registered. Because of underreporting of firms that have closed or exited, especially in developing countries, the data on total registered firms may be biased upward. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Spending > Interest payments > Current LCU: Interest payments include interest payments on government debt--including long-term bonds, long-term loans, and other debt instruments--to domestic and foreign residents."
  • Democracy and rights > Votes for nationalist parties: Absolute number of votes at the most recent national election that went to parties with a nationalist ideology.
  • Democracy and rights > Major left wing party: Left-wing major party.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Foreign relations > Diplomatic representation in the US > Ambassador: Name of ambassador to the USA.
  • Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons > Stateless persons per thousand people: This entry is derived from Government > Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons, which includes those persons residing in a country as refugees or internally displaced persons (IDPs). Each country's refugee entry includes only countries of origin that are the source of refugee populations of 5,000 or more. The definition of a refugee according to a United Nations Convention is "a person who is outside his/her country of nationality or habitual residence; has a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion; and is unable or unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of that country, or to return there, for fear of persecution." The UN established the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1950 to handle refugee matters worldwide. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has a different operational definition for a Palestinian refugee: "a person whose normal place of residence was Palestine during the period 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948 and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict." However, UNHCR also assists some 400,000 Palestinian refugees not covered under the UNRWA definition. The term "internally displaced person" is not specifically covered in the UN Convention; it is used to describe people who have fled their homes for reasons similar to refugees, but who remain within their own national territory and are subject to the laws of that state. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons > Stateless persons: This entry is derived from Government > Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons, which includes those persons residing in a country as refugees or internally displaced persons (IDPs). Each country's refugee entry includes only countries of origin that are the source of refugee populations of 5,000 or more. The definition of a refugee according to a United Nations Convention is "a person who is outside his/her country of nationality or habitual residence; has a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion; and is unable or unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of that country, or to return there, for fear of persecution." The UN established the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1950 to handle refugee matters worldwide. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has a different operational definition for a Palestinian refugee: "a person whose normal place of residence was Palestine during the period 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948 and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict." However, UNHCR also assists some 400,000 Palestinian refugees not covered under the UNRWA definition. The term "internally displaced person" is not specifically covered in the UN Convention; it is used to describe people who have fled their homes for reasons similar to refugees, but who remain within their own national territory and are subject to the laws of that state.
  • General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ > Per capita: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in constant 2000 U.S. dollars. Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.
  • Time required to build a warehouse > Days: Time required to build a warehouse is the number of calendar days needed to complete the required procedures for building a warehouse. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen.
  • Failed States Index: FSI 2013.
  • Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voting age population: International IDEA has chosen to use not only the reported registration rate to calculate turnout percentages, but also the voting age population (VAP) which includes all citizens above the legal voting age
  • Democracy > Female candidacy: Year in which women received the right to stand for election. Data refer to the year in which right to vote or stand for election on a universal and equal basis was recognized. Where two years are shown, the first refers to the first partial recognition of the right to stand for election.
  • Time required to enforce a contract > Days: Time required to enforce a contract is the number of calendar days from the filing of the lawsuit in court until the final determination and, in appropriate cases, payment.
  • Start-up procedures to register a business > Number > Per capita: Start-up procedures are those required to start a business, including interactions to obtain necessary permits and licenses and to complete all inscriptions, verifications, and notifications to start operations. Data are for businesses with specific characteristics of ownership, size, and type of production. Per capita figures expressed per 1 million population.
  • Democracy and rights > Electoral system: Political scientist Robert A. Dahl compares the constitutions of countries which have been “steadily democratic since 1950” on the characteristic of electoral system (First Past the Post electoral system; Single-Member District Plurality, also known as First Past the Post (FPTP): There is one seat per district, the candidate with the most votes wins it; Proportional Representation: There are multiple seats for each voting district, allocation is based on either party lists, multi-member proportional (MMP), single transferable vote (STV) or semi-PR; FrenchTtwo-RoundSsystem; Alternative Vote (AV)).
  • Procedures to register property > Number: Number of procedures to register property is the number of procedures required for a businesses to secure rights to property.
  • Procedures to build a warehouse > Number: Number of procedures to build a warehouse is the number of interactions of a company's employees or managers with external parties, including government agency staff, public inspectors, notaries, land registry and cadastre staff, and technical experts apart from architects and engineers.
  • Key ministers > Defence: Minister of Defence, 2005
  • Council of EU > 2005 > Country votes: January 1, 2005
  • Democracy and rights > Party system: Political scientist Robert A. Dahl compares the constitutions of countries which have been “steadily democratic since 1950” on the characteristic of party system (two-party or multi-party).
  • Democracy and rights > Structure: Political scientist Robert A. Dahl compares the constitutions of countries which have been “steadily democratic since 1950” on the characteristic of structure (presidential or parliamentary).
  • Democracy > Secret ballot > Date of introduction: Date voting by secret ballot was introduced in different countries around the world.
  • Democracy and rights > Last election: Last election.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Start-up procedures to register a business > Number per million: Start-up procedures are those required to start a business, including interactions to obtain necessary permits and licenses and to complete all inscriptions, verifications, and notifications to start operations. Data are for businesses with specific characteristics of ownership, size, and type of production. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Spending > Interest payments > % of revenue: Interest payments include interest payments on government debt--including long-term bonds, long-term loans, and other debt instruments--to domestic and foreign residents."
  • Parliament > Seats held by men per million people: Number of seats held by men in country's naitonal parliament or legislative houses. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
  • Foreign relations > Recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia: Statements on the status of Abkhazia and South Ossetia issued by countries who do not recognize their sovereignty.
  • Foreign relations > Date of recognition of Kosovo: Date on which Kosovo was officially recognized as a state.
  • Democracy and rights > Other major party: Other major party.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Legislature (parliament) > Total members of parliament: Number of members of the legislature (sum of members of all chambers of parliament where applicable).
  • Democracy and rights > Next election: Next election.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Legislature (parliament) > Term of office for lower house members: Members of the lower (or sole) house.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Spending > Subsidies and other transfers > % of expense: Subsidies, grants, and other social benefits include all unrequited, nonrepayable transfers on current account to private and public enterprises; grants to foreign governments, international organisations, and other government units; and social security, social assistance benefits, and employer social benefits in cash and in kind."
  • Spending > Compensation of employees > % of expense: Compensation of employees consists of all payments in cash, as well as in kind (such as food and housing), to employees in return for services rendered, and government contributions to social insurance schemes such as social security and pensions that provide benefits to employees."
  • Spending > Expense > % of GDP: Expense is cash payments for operating activities of the government in providing goods and services. It includes compensation of employees (such as wages and salaries), interest and subsidies, grants, social benefits, and other expenses such as rent and dividends."
  • Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments > %: Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%). Women in parliaments are the percentage of parliamentary seats in a single or lower chamber held by women.
  • Red tape > Time required to enforce a contract > Days per million: Time required to enforce a contract (days). Time required to enforce a contract is the number of calendar days from the filing of the lawsuit in court until the final determination and, in appropriate cases, payment. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Time to prepare and pay taxes > Hours: Time to prepare and pay taxes is the time, in hours per year, it takes to prepare, file, and pay (or withhold) three major types of taxes: the corporate income tax, the value added or sales tax, and labor taxes, including payroll taxes and social security contributions.
  • General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in constant 2000 U.S. dollars.
  • Procedures to register property > Number > Per capita: Number of procedures to register property is the number of procedures required for a businesses to secure rights to property. Per capita figures expressed per 1 million population.
  • Procedures to enforce a contract > Number > Per capita: Number of procedures to enforce a contract are the number of independent actions, mandated by law or courts, that demand interaction between the parties of a contract or between them and the judge or court officer. Per capita figures expressed per 1 million population.
  • Key ministers > Justice: Minister of Justice, 2005
  • Council of EU > 2006 > Country votes: January 1, 2006
  • Red tape > Procedures to enforce a contract > Number: Procedures to enforce a contract (number). Number of procedures to enforce a contract are the number of independent actions, mandated by law or courts, that demand interaction between the parties of a contract or between them and the judge or court officer.
  • Diplomatic representation from the US > FAX: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
  • Diplomatic representation from the US > Consulate(s) general: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
  • Council of EU > 2007 > Country votes: January 1, 2007
  • Council of EU > 2003 > Country votes: January 1, 2003
  • Council of EU > 2005 > Country leader: January 1, 2005
  • Council of EU > 2007 > Country leader: January 1, 2007
  • General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant LCU: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in constant local currency.
  • General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ per capita: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in constant 2000 U.S. dollars. Figures expressed per capita for the same year.
  • Council of EU > 2002 > Country leader: January 1, 2002
  • Council of EU > 2001 > Country leader: January 1, 2001
  • Spending > Other expense > Current LCU: Other expense is spending on dividends, rent, and other miscellaneous expenses, including provision for consumption of fixed capital."
  • Council of EU > 2002 > European party of leader: January 1, 2002
  • Time to resolve insolvency > Years: Time to resolve insolvency is the number of years from the filing for insolvency in court until the resolution of distressed assets.
  • Council of EU > 2001 > Country votes: January 1, 2001
  • Procedures to register property > Number per million: Number of procedures to register property is the number of procedures required for a businesses to secure rights to property. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • General government final > Consumption expenditure > Annual % growth: Annual percentage growth of general government final consumption expenditure based on constant local currency. Aggregates are based on constant 2000 U.S. dollars. General government final consumption expenditure (general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation.
  • Time required to register property > Days: Time required to register property is the number of calendar days needed for businesses to secure rights to property.
  • Procedures to enforce a contract > Number per million: Number of procedures to enforce a contract are the number of independent actions, mandated by law or courts, that demand interaction between the parties of a contract or between them and the judge or court officer. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Key ministers > Agriculture: Minister of Agriculture, 2005
  • Council of EU > 2005 > European party of leader: January 1, 2005
  • Council of EU > 2007 > European party of leader: January 1, 2007
  • Foreign relations > Date of establishment of relations with China: The date on which each country established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China.
  • Council of EU > January–April 2004 > European party of leader: January 1, 2004
  • Democracy and rights > Strong judicial review?: Political scientist Robert A. Dahl compares the constitutions of countries which have been “steadily democratic since 1950” on the characteristic of judicial review, which is the power to declare unconstitutional laws duly passed by parliament and/or signed by the president. (As distinct from the ability to strike down acts of subordinate governments, such as states or provinces. (Strong judicial review or no strong judicial review).
  • Democracy and rights > Strongly federal?: Political scientist Robert A. Dahl compares the constitutions of countries which have been “steadily democratic since 1950” on the characteristic of federalism (strongly federal or not strongly federal).
  • Diplomatic representation in the US > Consulate(s) general: This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
  • Procedures to build a warehouse > Number > Per capita: Number of procedures to build a warehouse is the number of interactions of a company's employees or managers with external parties, including government agency staff, public inspectors, notaries, land registry and cadastre staff, and technical experts apart from architects and engineers. Per capita figures expressed per 1 million population.
  • European Union > Council of the European Union votes: Number of votes each member state of the European Union has in the Council of the European Union.
  • General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current LCU: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in current local currency.
  • Legislature (parliament) > Strongly bicameral?: Political scientist Robert A. Dahl compares the constitutions of countries which have been “steadily democratic since 1950” on the characteristic of bicameralism, determing if there are two houses in the legislature, both with substantial powers. (Strongly bicameral or not strongly bicameral).
  • Diplomatic representation in the US > Telephone: This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
  • Diplomatic representation in the US > FAX: This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
  • Capital city > Time difference: This entry gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
  • Democracy and rights > Active Labor party: Party.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Democracy and rights > Major right wing party: Right-wing major party.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Foreign relations > International recognition of the Syrian National Council notes:

    Degree to which the Syrian National Council is recognized as a legitimate representative of the Syrian people.

  • Spending > Goods and services expense > % of expense: Goods and services include all government payments in exchange for goods and services used for the production of market and nonmarket goods and services. Own-account capital formation is excluded.
  • Procedures to enforce a contract > Number: Number of procedures to enforce a contract are the number of independent actions, mandated by law or courts, that demand interaction between the parties of a contract or between them and the judge or court officer.
  • Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voting age population per 1000: International IDEA has chosen to use not only the reported registration rate to calculate turnout percentages, but also the voting age population (VAP) which includes all citizens above the legal voting age. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Spending > Interest payments > % of expense: Interest payments include interest payments on government debt--including long-term bonds, long-term loans, and other debt instruments--to domestic and foreign residents."
  • Spending > Other expense > % of expense: Other expense is spending on dividends, rent, and other miscellaneous expenses, including provision for consumption of fixed capital."
  • Ruling party: In power now.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Procedures to build a warehouse > Number per million: Number of procedures to build a warehouse is the number of interactions of a company's employees or managers with external parties, including government agency staff, public inspectors, notaries, land registry and cadastre staff, and technical experts apart from architects and engineers. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Red tape > Procedures to register property > Number per million: Procedures to register property (number). Number of procedures to register property is the number of procedures required for a businesses to secure rights to property. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Republic establishment date: The date on which each country (or its precursor) changed its form of government to a republic. In a republic, the power resides in the country’s people, the government and legislature is elected and the country is ruled according to its laws.
  • Spending > Goods and services expense > Current LCU: Goods and services include all government payments in exchange for goods and services used for the production of market and nonmarket goods and services. Own-account capital formation is excluded.
STAT
Italy
Netherlands
HISTORY
Administrative divisions 15 regions (regioni, singular - regione) and 5 autonomous regions (regioni autonome, singular - regione autonoma)<br /><strong>regions:</strong> Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Lazio (Latium), Liguria, Lombardia, Marche, Molise, Piemonte (Piedmont), Puglia (Apulia), Toscana (Tuscany), Umbria, Veneto (Venetia)<br /><strong>autonomous regions:</strong> Friuli-Venezia Giulia; Sardegna (Sardinia); Sicilia (Sicily); Trentino-Alto Adige (Trentino-South Tyrol) or Trentino-Suedtirol (German); Valle d'Aosta (Aosta Valley) or Vallee d'Aoste (French) 12 provinces (provincies, singular - provincie); Drenthe, Flevoland, Fryslan (Friesland), Gelderland, Groningen, Limburg, Noord-Brabant (North Brabant), Noord-Holland (North Holland), Overijssel, Utrecht, Zeeland (Zealand), Zuid-Holland (South Holland)
Capital city > Geographic coordinates 41 54 N, 12 29 E 52
Capital city > Name Rome Amsterdam
Constitution previous 1848 (originally for Kingdom of Sardinia and adopted by Kingdom of Italy in 1861); latest enacted 22 December 1947, adopted 27 December 1947, entered into force 1 January 1948; amended many times, last in 2012 previous 1597, 1798; latest adopted 24 August 1815 (substantially revised in 1848); amended many times, last in 2010
Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address PSC 59, Box 100, APO AE 09624 PSC 71, Box 1000, APO AE 09715
Executive branch > Cabinet Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister and nominated by the President of the Republic Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch
Executive branch > Chief of state President Giorgio NAPOLITANO (since 15 May 2006) King WILLEM-ALEXANDER (since 30 April 2013)
Executive branch > Head of government Prime Minister Enrico LETTA (since 17 April 2013) Prime Minister Mark RUTTE (since 14 October 2010); Deputy Prime Minister Lodewijk ASSCHER (since 5 November 2012)
Government type republic constitutional monarchy
Judicial branch Constitutional Court or Corte Costituzionale (composed of 15 judges: one-third appointed by the president, one-third elected by parliament, one-third elected by the ordinary and administrative Supreme Courts); Supreme Court of Cassation or Corte Suprema di Cassazione Supreme Court or Hoge Raad (justices are nominated for life by the monarch)
Legal system civil law system; judicial review under certain conditions in Constitutional Court civil law system based on the French system; constitution does not permit judicial review of acts of the States General
Legislative branch bicameral Parliament or Parlamento consists of the Senate or Senato della Repubblica (315 seats; members elected by proportional vote with the winning coalition in each region receiving 55% of seats from that region; members to serve five-year terms; and up to 5 senators for life appointed by the president of the Republic) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camera dei Deputati (630 seats; members elected by popular vote with the winning national coalition receiving 54% of chamber seats; members to serve five-year terms); note - it has not been clarified if each president has the power to designate up to five senators or if five is the number of senators for life who might sit in the Senate bicameral States General or Staten Generaal consists of the First Chamber or Eerste Kamer
Political parties and leaders <strong>Center-right coalition [Silvio BERLUSCONI]: </strong><br />People of Freedom or PdL [Silvio BERLUSCONI]<br />Northern League or LN [Roberto MARONI]<br />Brothers of Italy or Fdl [Giorgia MELONI and Ignazio LA RUSSA]<br />The Right or LD [Francesco STORACE]<br />other minor parties<br /><br /><strong>Italy Common Good (Center-Left) [Pier Luigi BERSANI]:</strong><br />Democratic Party or PD [Pier Luigi BERSANI]<br />Left Ecology Freedom or SEL [Nichi VENDOLA]<br />Italian Socialist Party or PSI [Riccardo NENCINI]<br />Democratic Centre or CD [Bruno TABACCI and Massimo DONADI]<br />South Tyrolean People's Party or SVP [Luis DURNWALDER]<br /><br /><strong>With Monti for Italy (Centrist):</strong><br />Civic Choice or SC [Mario MONTI]<br />Union of the Center or UdC [Pier Ferdinando CASINI]<br />Future and Freedom for Italy or FLI [Gianfranco FINI]<br /><br /><strong>other coalitions and parties:</strong><br />Civil Revolution or RC [Antonio INGROIA]<br />Act to Stop the Decline or FiD [Oscar GIANNINO]<br />Five Star Movment or M5S [Beppe GRILLO] Christian Democratic Appeal or CDA [Sybrand VAN HAERSMA BUMA]<br />Christian Union or CU [Arie SLOB]<br />Democrats 66 or D66 [Alexander PECHTOLD]<br />Green Left or GL [Bram VAN OJIK]<br />Labor Party or PvdA [Diederik SAMSOM]<br />Party for Freedom or PVV [Geert WILDERS]<br />Party for the Animals or PvdD [Marianne THIEME]<br />People's Party for Freedom and Democracy or VVD [Halbe ZIJLSTRA]<br />Reformed Political Party of SGP [Kees VAN DER STAAIJ]<br />Socialist Party of SP [Emile ROEMER]<br />plus a few minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders manufacturers and merchants associations - Confcommercio; Confindustria<br />organized farm groups - Confcoltivatori; Confagricoltura; Roman Catholic Church<br />three major trade union confederations - Confederazione Generale Italiana del Lavoro or CGIL [Susanna CAMUSSO] which is left wing; Confederazione Italiana dei Sindacati Lavoratori or CISL [Raffaele BONANNI], which is Roman Catholic centrist; Unione Italiana del Lavoro or UIL [Luigi ANGELETTI] which is lay centrist Christian Trade Union Federation or CNV [Jaap SMIT]<br />Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers or VNO-NCW [Bernard WIENTJES]<br />Federation for Small and Medium-sized businesses or MKB [Hans BIESHEUVEL]<br />Netherlands Trade Union Federation or FNV [Ton HEERTS]<br />Social Economic Council or SER [Wiebe DRAIJER]<br />Trade Union Federation of Middle and High Personnel or MHP [Reginald VISSER]
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal (except in senatorial elections, where minimum age is 25) 18 years of age; universal
International organization participation ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CD, CDB, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-20, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNMISS, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CBSS (observer), CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Country name > Conventional long form Italian Republic Kingdom of the Netherlands
Civil law system Based on codified Roman law , with elements of the Napoleonic civil code ; civil code of 1942 replaced the original one of 1865 Influenced by the Napoleonic Code
Executive branch > Elections president elected by an electoral college consisting of both houses of parliament and 58 regional representatives for a seven-year term (no term limits); election last held on 24-25 February 2013 (next to be held in 2020); prime minister appointed by the president and confirmed by parliament the monarchy is hereditary; following Second Chamber elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch; deputy prime ministers appointed by the monarch
National symbol(s) white, five-pointed star (Stella d'Italia) lion
Flag description three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red; design inspired by the French flag brought to Italy by Napoleon in 1797; colors are those of Milan (red and white) combined with the green uniform color of the Milanese civic guard three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue; similar to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue and is longer; the colors were those of WILLIAM I, Prince of Orange, who led the Dutch Revolt against Spanish sovereignty in the latter half of the 16th century; originally the upper band was orange, but because it tended to fade to red over time, the red shade was eventually made the permanent color; the banner is perhaps the oldest tricolor in continuous use
Red tape > Time required to start a business > Days 6
Ranked 161st. 50% more than Netherlands
4
Ranked 180th.

Country name > Conventional short form Italy Netherlands
Constitutional form Republic Constitutional monarchy
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International Italy's long coastline and developed economy entices tens of thousands of illegal immigrants from southeastern Europe and northern Africa none
Total businesses registered > Number 5.9 million
Ranked 3rd. 5 times more than Netherlands
1.14 million
Ranked 16th.

National anthem <strong>name: </strong>"Il Canto degli Italiani" (The Song of the Italians)<br /><strong>lyrics/music:</strong> Goffredo MAMELI/Michele NOVARO <strong>name: </strong>"Het Wilhelmus" (The William)<br /><strong>lyrics/music:</strong> Philips VAN MARNIX van Sint Aldegonde (presumed)/unknown
FAX 39 31
Legislative branch > Election results Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Pier Luigi BERSANI coalition 123 (PD 111, SEL 7, SVP 2, other 3), Silvio BERLUSCONI coalition 117 (PdL 98, LN 18, other 1), M5S 54, Mario MONTI coalition 19, other 2; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Pier Luigi BERSANI coalition 345 (PD 297, SEL 37, CD 6 SVP 5), Silvio BERLUSCONI coalition 125 (PdL 98, LN 18, FdI 9), M5S 109, Mario MONTI coalition 47, other 4 First Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - VVD 16, PvdA 14, CDA 11, PVV 10, SP 8, D66 5, GL 5, other 6; Second Chamber - percent of vote by party - VVD 26.6%, PvdA 24.8%, PVV, 10.1%, SP 9.7%, CDA 8.5%, D66 8.0%, CU 3.1%, GL 6.7%, other 2.5%; seats by party - VVD 41, PvdA 38, PVV 15, SP 15, CDA 13, D66 12, CU 5, GL 4, other 7
Legislative branch > Elections Senate - last held on 24-25 February 2013 (next to be held in 2018); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 24-25 February 2013 (next to be held in 2018) First Chamber - last held on May 2011 (next to be held in May 2015); Second Chamber - last held on 12 September 2012 (next to be held by September 2016)
Democracy and rights > Press freedom index 26.11
Ranked 6th. 4 times more than Netherlands
6.48
Ranked 33th.
Parliament > Seats held by women > Percentage 21.43%
Ranked 73th.
38.67%
Ranked 14th. 80% more than Italy

Independence 17 March 1861 (Kingdom of Italy proclaimed; Italy was not finally unified until 1870) 23 January 1579 (the northern provinces of the Low Countries conclude the Union of Utrecht breaking with Spain; on 26 July 1581 they formally declared their independence with an Act of Abjuration; however, it was not until 30 January 1648 and the Peace of Westphalia that Spain recognized this independence)
Judicial branch > Subordinate courts various lower civil and criminal courts (primary and secondary tribunals, courts, and courts of appeal) courts of appeal; district courts, each with up to 5 subdistrict courts
Basis of executive legitimacy Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence
Transnational Issues > Illicit drugs important gateway for and consumer of Latin American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin entering the European market; money laundering by organized crime and from smuggling major European producer of synthetic drugs, including ecstasy, and cannabis cultivator; important gateway for cocaine, heroin, and hashish entering Europe; major source of US-bound ecstasy; large financial sector vulnerable to money laundering; significant consumer of ecstasy
Country name > Local short form Italia Nederland
Democracy and rights > Freedom of the press 33
Ranked 125th. 3 times more than Netherlands
12
Ranked 190th.
Corruption > Bribe Payers Index 7.4
Ranked 16th.
8.7
Ranked 4th. 18% more than Italy
Proportion of seats held by women in national parliament 17.3%
Ranked 69th.
36.7%
Ranked 7th. 2 times more than Italy

Diplomatic representation from the US > Embassy Via Vittorio Veneto 121, 00187-Rome Lange Voorhout 102, 2514 EJ, The Hague
Red tape > Start-up procedures to register a business > Number 6
Ranked 114th. 50% more than Netherlands
4
Ranked 166th.

Democracy and rights > Nationalist vote 0.3%
Ranked 4th.
10.1%
Ranked 6th. 34 times more than Italy
Democracy > Civil and political liberties 5.5
Ranked 29th.
6
Ranked 14th. 9% more than Italy
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ 357.61 billion$
Ranked 4th. 2 times more than Netherlands
149.92 billion$
Ranked 8th.

National holiday Republic Day, 2 June Queen's Day (Birthday of deceased Queen-Mother JULIANA and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX), 30 April (1909 and 1980)
Capital > Geographic coordinates 41 54 N, 12 29 E 52 21 N, 4 55 E
Democracy > First female parliamentarian 1946 (elected) 1918 (elected)
Time required to start a business > Days 13 days
Ranked 150th. 30% more than Netherlands
10 days
Ranked 158th.

Democracy > Gender Parity Index in primary level enrolment 0.995
Ranked 51st. 2% more than Netherlands
0.976
Ranked 74th.

Judicial branch > Judge selection and term of office Supreme Court judges appointed by the Superior Council of the Judiciary, headed by the president, to serve NA terms; Constitutional Court judges - 5 appointed by the president, 5 elected by parliament, 5 elected by select higher courts; judges serve up to 9 years) justices appointed by the monarch from a list provided by the Second Chamber of the States General; justices appointed for life or until mandatory retirement at age 70
Democracy and rights > Democracy Index 7.74
Ranked 25th.
8.99
Ranked 10th. 16% more than Italy
Red tape > Burden of customs procedure, WEF > 1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient 4.1
Ranked 71st.
5.4
Ranked 9th. 32% more than Italy

Red tape > Time required to register property > Days 16
Ranked 145th. 6 times more than Netherlands
2.5
Ranked 180th.

Politics Two months after the 2013 elections left a stalemated parliament, a grand coalition was formed under Enrico Letta A left-right coalition government was formed in November 2012, after months of deadlock over plans to cut the budget deficit
International law organization participation has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Parliament > Seats held by men 495
Ranked 4th. 5 times more than Netherlands
92
Ranked 106th.

Country name > Local long form Repubblica Italiana Koninkrijk der Nederlanden
Red tape > Time to resolve insolvency > Years 1.8
Ranked 131st. 64% more than Netherlands
1.1
Ranked 157th.

Red tape > Start-up procedures to register a business > Number per million 0.0985
Ranked 167th.
0.298
Ranked 134th. 3 times more than Italy

Diplomatic representation from the US > Telephone [39] (06) 46741 [31] (70) 310-2209
Diplomatic representation from the US > Chief of mission Ambassador John R. PHILLIPS (since 16 August 2013) Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires ad interim Adam STERLING
Diplomatic representation in the US > Chancery None None
Diplomatic representation in the US > Chief of mission Ambassador Claudio BISOGNIERO (since 13 January 2012) Ambassador Rudolf Simon BEKINK (since 20 July 2012)
Parliament > Seats held by women 135
Ranked 13th. 2 times more than Netherlands
58
Ranked 45th.

Democracy > Democratic institutions rating 10
Ranked 21st. The same as Netherlands
10
Ranked 29th.
Executive branch > Note a four-party government coalition includes Forza Italia, National Alliance, Northern League, and Union of Christian Democrats and Center Democrats there is also a Council of State composed of the monarch, heir apparent, and councilors that provides consultations to the cabinet on legislative and administrative policy
UN membership date 14 Dec. 1955 10 Dec. 1945
Democracy and rights > Democracy Index per million people 0.127
Ranked 28th.
0.536
Ranked 20th. 4 times more than Italy
Total businesses registered > Number per 1000 102.51
Ranked 6th. 46% more than Netherlands
70.08
Ranked 17th.

Red tape > Procedures to build a warehouse > Number 11
Ranked 151st.
14
Ranked 97th. 27% more than Italy

Capital city Rome Amsterdam
Capital > Name Rome Amsterdam
Legal origin <a href=/country/fr>French</a> <a href=/country/fr>French</a>
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ > Per capita 6,101.91$ per capita
Ranked 13th.
9,186.08$ per capita
Ranked 6th. 51% more than Italy

Spending > Expense > Current LCU 631.13 billion
Ranked 29th. 3 times more than Netherlands
241.33 billion
Ranked 43th.

Red tape > Time required to get electricity > Days 124
Ranked 56th.
143
Ranked 38th. 15% more than Italy

Democracy and rights > Year women first voted at national level 1946 1919
Legislature (parliament) > People per member 63,411
Ranked 52nd.
73,561
Ranked 45th. 16% more than Italy
Capital > Time difference UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
International relations Italian forces have been active in peacekeeping in the Balkans, Africa and Middle East, and are present in Afghanistan The Netherlands plays a central role in the European Union and Dutch forces have been active in UN peacekeeping efforts
Red tape > Time required to get electricity > Days per million 2.04
Ranked 159th.
8.53
Ranked 104th. 4 times more than Italy

Legislature (parliament) > Upper house members 315
Ranked 3rd. 4 times more than Netherlands
75
Ranked 30th.
Legislature (parliament) > Lower house members 630
Ranked 5th. 4 times more than Netherlands
150
Ranked 65th.
Red tape > Time required to enforce a contract > Days 1,185
Ranked 17th. 2 times more than Netherlands
514
Ranked 108th.

Democracy > Female parliamentarians 9.1%
Ranked 102nd.
32.9%
Ranked 6th. 4 times more than Italy
Red tape > Procedures to register property > Number 4
Ranked 158th.
5
Ranked 133th. 25% more than Italy

Role of head of state Ceremonial Ceremonial
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ per capita 6,101.91$
Ranked 13th.
9,186.07$
Ranked 6th. 51% more than Italy

Democracy and rights > Nationalist party (percent of vote) 0.3%
Ranked 4th.
10.1%
Ranked 6th. 34 times more than Italy
Start-up procedures to register a business > Number 9
Ranked 93th. 50% more than Netherlands
6
Ranked 149th.

Strength of legal rights index > 0=weak to 10=strong 3
Ranked 143th.
6
Ranked 83th. Twice as much as Italy

Red tape > Burden of customs procedure, WEF > 1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient per million 0.0673
Ranked 121st.
0.322
Ranked 78th. 5 times more than Italy

Spending > Compensation of employees > Current LCU 97.33 billion
Ranked 31st. 5 times more than Netherlands
18.34 billion
Ranked 53th.

Spending > Subsidies and other transfers > Current LCU 411.71 billion
Ranked 22nd. 2 times more than Netherlands
192 billion
Ranked 33th.

Legislature (parliament) > Term of office for upper house members 5
Ranked 39th. 25% more than Netherlands
4
Ranked 52nd.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ > Per $ GDP 0.203$ per $1 of GDP
Ranked 31st.
0.24$ per $1 of GDP
Ranked 16th. 18% more than Italy

Parliament > Seats held by women per million people 2.2
Ranked 121st.
3.45
Ranked 89th. 57% more than Italy

Foreign relations > Nepal > Date of Establishment August 31, 1959 April 2, 1960
Democracy > Female suffrage 1945 1919
Red tape > Time required to build a warehouse > Days 233.5
Ranked 35th. 49% more than Netherlands
157
Ranked 86th.

Foreign relations > Date of recognition of Syrian National Council Informal relations Verbal support Rejection of Assad government Verbal support Rejection of Assad government Informal relations
Red tape > Time required to start a business > Days per million 0.0985
Ranked 182nd.
0.298
Ranked 162nd. 3 times more than Italy

Red tape > Procedures to enforce a contract > Number per million 0.607
Ranked 165th.
1.55
Ranked 138th. 3 times more than Italy

Red tape > Time required to register property > Days per million 0.41
Ranked 161st. 25% more than Netherlands
0.328
Ranked 163th.

Red tape > Time required to build a warehouse > Days per million 3.83
Ranked 155th.
9.36
Ranked 127th. 2 times more than Italy

Red tape > Procedures to build a warehouse > Number per million 0.181
Ranked 167th.
0.835
Ranked 125th. 5 times more than Italy

Capital > Daylight saving time +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Total businesses registered > Number > Per capita 102.51 per 1,000 people
Ranked 6th. 46% more than Netherlands
70.08 per 1,000 people
Ranked 17th.

Spending > Interest payments > Current LCU 75.59 billion
Ranked 18th. 7 times more than Netherlands
10.72 billion
Ranked 45th.

Democracy and rights > Votes for nationalist parties 89,826
Ranked 28th.
950,263
Ranked 6th. 11 times more than Italy
Democracy and rights > Major left wing party Democratic Party Labour Party
Foreign relations > Diplomatic representation in the US > Ambassador Bisogniero, Claudio Claudio Bisogniero Jones-Bos, Renée Renée Jones-Bos
Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons > Stateless persons per thousand people 0.00772
Ranked 55th.
0.12
Ranked 40th. 15 times more than Italy
Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons > Stateless persons 470
Ranked 45th.
2,005
Ranked 33th. 4 times more than Italy
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ > Per capita 3,794.89 constant 2000 US$ per c
Ranked 14th.
5,763.66 constant 2000 US$ per c
Ranked 6th. 52% more than Italy

Time required to build a warehouse > Days 284 days
Ranked 27th. 54% more than Netherlands
184 days
Ranked 86th.

Failed States Index 44.6
Ranked 7th. 66% more than Netherlands
26.9
Ranked 21st.
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voting age population 47.33 million
Ranked 12th. 4 times more than Netherlands
12.28 million
Ranked 40th.
Democracy > Female candidacy 1,945
Ranked 101st. 1% more than Netherlands
1,917
Ranked 154th.
Foreign relations > Croatia > Date of Establishment January 17, 1992 February 11, 1992
National anthem > Name "Il Canto degli Italiani" (The Song of the Italians) "Het Wilhelmus" (The William)
Parties in the European Council during 2011 > Leaders > 1 January 2011 > Votes 29
Ranked 3rd. 2 times more than Netherlands
13
Ranked 7th.
Executive branch > A note a five-party <a href=/cat/Government>government</a> coalition includes Forza Italia, National Alliance, <a href=/kp/Northern>Northern</a> League, <a href=/encyclopedia/United-States-Democratic-Party><a href=/encyclopedia/United-States-Democratic-Party>Democratic</a></a> <a href=/kp/Christian>Christian</a> Center, United <a href=/kp/Christian>Christian</a> <a href=/encyclopedia/United-States-Democratic-Party>Democrats</a> there is also a Council of <a href=/encyclopedia/U.S.-State><a href=/encyclopedia/U.S.-State>State</a></a> composed of the monarch, heir apparent, and councilors that provides consultations to the prime minister on legislative and administrative policy
Time required to enforce a contract > Days 1,210 days
Ranked 10th. 3 times more than Netherlands
408 days
Ranked 105th.

Start-up procedures to register a business > Number > Per capita 0.154 per 1 million people
Ranked 146th.
0.366 per 1 million people
Ranked 129th. 2 times more than Italy

Parties in the European Council during 2010 > Leaders > 1 January 2010 > European party <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a>
Democracy and rights > Electoral system PR (MMP) PR (list)
Procedures to register property > Number 8
Ranked 37th. 4 times more than Netherlands
2
Ranked 164th.

Procedures to build a warehouse > Number 17
Ranked 84th.
18
Ranked 73th. 6% more than Italy

Key ministers > Defence Antonio Martino (FI) Henk Kamp (VVD)
Council of EU > 2005 > Country votes 29
Ranked 4th. 2 times more than Netherlands
13
Ranked 7th.
Democracy and rights > Party system Multi Multi
Democracy and rights > Structure Parliamentary Parliamentary
Democracy > Secret ballot > Date of introduction 1861 1849
Parties in the European Council during 2010 > Leaders > 1 January 2010 > Votes 29
Ranked 3rd. 2 times more than Netherlands
13
Ranked 7th.
Democracy and rights > Last election February 2013 September 2012
Start-up procedures to register a business > Number per million 0.153
Ranked 145th.
0.367
Ranked 127th. 2 times more than Italy

Spending > Interest payments > % of revenue 12.81%
Ranked 11th. 3 times more than Netherlands
4.3%
Ranked 45th.

Parliament > Seats held by men per million people 8.05
Ranked 129th. 47% more than Netherlands
5.47
Ranked 155th.

Foreign relations > Recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said "The move does not apply in an international legal framework. An ethnic-based balkanisation of the Caucasus is a serious danger for all". Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen expressed on behalf of the cabinet his "great concern" about the Russian position and said that "for the Netherlands, the territorial integrity of Georgia within the internationally recognised borders, also earlier recognised by Russia, remains the basis for a solution to this crisis. The one-sided recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia by Russia does not bring this solution nearer".
Foreign relations > Date of recognition of Kosovo None
None
Democracy and rights > Other major party Five Star Movement Christian Democratic Appeal
Legislature (parliament) > Total members of parliament 948
Ranked 3rd. 4 times more than Netherlands
225
Ranked 53th.
Democracy and rights > Next election February 2018 March 2017
Legislature (parliament) > Term of office for lower house members 5
Ranked 74th. 25% more than Netherlands
4
Ranked 174th.
Spending > Subsidies and other transfers > % of expense 65.23%
Ranked 18th.
79.56%
Ranked 3rd. 22% more than Italy

Spending > Compensation of employees > % of expense 15.42%
Ranked 63th. 2 times more than Netherlands
7.6%
Ranked 83th.

Spending > Expense > % of GDP 40.25%
Ranked 13th.
40.5%
Ranked 12th. 1% more than Italy

Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments > % 31.4%
Ranked 34th.
38.7%
Ranked 15th. 23% more than Italy

Red tape > Time required to enforce a contract > Days per million 19.45
Ranked 146th.
30.65
Ranked 128th. 58% more than Italy

Time to prepare and pay taxes > Hours 360 hours
Ranked 46th. 44% more than Netherlands
250 hours
Ranked 85th.

General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ 222.41 billion constant 2000 US$
Ranked 5th. 2 times more than Netherlands
94.06 billion constant 2000 US$
Ranked 8th.

Procedures to register property > Number > Per capita 0.137 per 1 million people
Ranked 139th. 12% more than Netherlands
0.122 per 1 million people
Ranked 145th.

Procedures to enforce a contract > Number > Per capita 0.683 per 1 million people
Ranked 142nd.
1.34 per 1 million people
Ranked 128th. 97% more than Italy

Parties in the European Council during 2002 > Leaders > January 1 > 2002 > Votes 10
Ranked 1st. Twice as much as Netherlands
5
Ranked 8th.
Parties in the European Council during 2011 > Leaders > 1 January 2011 > National party <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_People_of_Freedom">PdL</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Party_for_Freedom_and_Democracy">VVD</a>
Key ministers > Justice Roberto Castelli (Lega Nord) <a href=/encyclopedia/Piet-Hein-(Denmark)>Piet Hein</a> Donner (<a href=/encyclopedia/Christen-Democratisch-Appel>CDA</a>)
Parties in the European Council during 2010 > Leaders > 1 January 2010 > National party <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_People_of_Freedom">PdL</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Democratic_Appeal">CDA</a>
Parties in the European Council during 2008 > Leaders > January 1 > 2008 > European party <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Democratic_Party">EDP</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a>
Council of EU > 2006 > Country votes 29
Ranked 4th. 2 times more than Netherlands
13
Ranked 7th.
Parties in the European Council during 2007 > Leaders > January 1 > 2007 > European party <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Democratic_Party">EDP</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a>
Parties in the European Council during 2009 > Leaders > January 1 > 2009 > Leader Silvio Berlusconi Jan Peter Balkenende
Parties in the European Council during 2008 > Leaders > January 1 > 2008 > Votes 29
Ranked 3rd. 2 times more than Netherlands
13
Ranked 7th.
Parties in the European Council during 2000 > Leaders > January 1 > 2000 > Leader Massimo D'Alema Wim Kok
Parties in the European Council between January and April 2004 > Leaders > January 1 > 2004 > Leader Silvio Berlusconi Jan Peter Balkenende
Red tape > Procedures to enforce a contract > Number 37
Ranked 108th. 42% more than Netherlands
26
Ranked 184th.

Diplomatic representation from the US > FAX [39] (06) 4674-2244 [31] (70) 310-2207
Diplomatic representation from the US > Consulate(s) general Florence, Milan, Naples Amsterdam
Council of EU > 2007 > Country votes 29
Ranked 4th. 2 times more than Netherlands
13
Ranked 8th.
Council of EU > 2003 > Country votes 10
Ranked 1st. Twice as much as Netherlands
5
Ranked 9th.
Council of EU > 2005 > Country leader Silvio Berlusconi Jan Peter Balkenende
Council of EU > 2007 > Country leader Romano Prodi Jan Peter Balkenende
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant LCU 241400500000 102095000000
Parties in the European Council during 2005 > Leaders > January 1 > 2005 > European party <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a>
Parties in the European Council during 2003 > Leaders > January 1 > 2003 > European party <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a>
Parties in the European Council during 2005 > Leaders > January 1 > 2005 > Votes 29
Ranked 3rd. 2 times more than Netherlands
13
Ranked 6th.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ per capita 3,794.89 constant 2000 US$
Ranked 14th.
5,763.66 constant 2000 US$
Ranked 6th. 52% more than Italy

Council of EU > 2002 > Country leader Silvio Berlusconi Wim Kok
Council of EU > 2001 > Country leader Giuliano Amato Wim Kok
Spending > Other expense > Current LCU 32.86 billion
Ranked 29th. 4 times more than Netherlands
7.84 billion
Ranked 48th.

Parties in the European Council during 2010 > Leaders > 1 January 2010 > Leader Silvio Berlusconi Jan Peter Balkenende
Parties in the European Council during 2011 > Leaders > 1 January 2011 > Leader Silvio Berlusconi Mark Rutte
Council of EU > 2002 > European party of leader <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>
Time to resolve insolvency > Years 1.2 years
Ranked 133th.
1.7 years
Ranked 125th. 42% more than Italy

Council of EU > 2001 > Country votes 10
Ranked 1st. Twice as much as Netherlands
5
Ranked 9th.
Procedures to register property > Number per million 0.136
Ranked 139th. 11% more than Netherlands
0.122
Ranked 144th.

General government final > Consumption expenditure > Annual % growth 1.16%
Ranked 86th. 2 times more than Netherlands
0.49%
Ranked 96th.

Time required to register property > Days 27 days
Ranked 121st. 5 times more than Netherlands
5 days
Ranked 158th.

Procedures to enforce a contract > Number per million 0.679
Ranked 141st.
1.35
Ranked 127th. 98% more than Italy

Stabilisation and Association process > Stabilisation and Association process > Republic of > Macedonia 30.10.2003 9.9.2002
Key ministers > Agriculture Giovanni Alemanno (AN) Kees Veerman (<a href=/encyclopedia/Christen-Democratisch-Appel>CDA</a>)
Stabilisation and Association process > Croatia 6.10.2004 30.4.2004
Council of EU > 2005 > European party of leader <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a>
Council of EU > 2007 > European party of leader <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Democratic_Party">EDP</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a>
Foreign relations > Date of establishment of relations with China November 6, 1970 May 18, 1972
Council of EU > January&ndash;April 2004 > European party of leader <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a>
Parties in the European Council during 1999 > Leaders > January 1 > 1999 > Votes 10
Ranked 1st. Twice as much as Netherlands
5
Ranked 8th.
Democracy and rights > Strong judicial review? No No
Parties in the European Council during 1999 > Leaders > January 1 > 1999 > Leader Massimo D'Alema Wim Kok
FAX > Consulate(s) general Milan, Naples Amsterdam
Democracy and rights > Strongly federal? No No
Diplomatic representation in the US > Consulate(s) general Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York
Procedures to build a warehouse > Number > Per capita 0.29 per 1 million people
Ranked 146th.
1.1 per 1 million people
Ranked 110th. 4 times more than Italy

European Union > Council of the European Union votes 29
Ranked 4th. 2 times more than Netherlands
13
Ranked 8th.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current LCU 287558000000 120547000000
Legislature (parliament) > Strongly bicameral? Yes Yes
FAX > Consulate(s) Detroit Boston
Diplomatic representation in the US > Telephone [1] (202) 612-4400 [1] (202) 244-5300, [1] 877-388-2443
Diplomatic representation in the US > FAX [1] (202) 518-2154 [1] (202) 362-3430
Copyright > Reference Art. 25, , as amended by Art. 17, Law No. 52 of 6 February 1996 Art. 37, , as amended by the Acts of 21 December 1995
Capital city > Time difference UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 1
Democracy and rights > Active Labor party Labour Federation Labour Party
Democracy and rights > Major right wing party Forza Italia People's Party for Freedom and Democracy
Foreign relations > International recognition of the Syrian National Council notes On 25 November Italian Foreign Minister, Giulio Terzi di Sant'Agata reiterated Italy's support to "organised opposition" in the shape of SNC. On 11 December, Terzi met SNC's president Burhan Ghalioun and said Italy would intensify its contacts with SNC which grouped "an important segment" of the Syrian opposition . Minister of Foreign Affairs Uri Rosenthal met with Burhan Ghalioun, the leader of the Syrian National Council on 17 January 2012. Rosenthal has pledged to continue to increase pressure on the Assad government, specifically by promoting EU sanctions and UN Security Council resolutions toward this end. Rosenthal further stated, "It\u2019s time for this to stop: Assad must step down and make way for a democratic Syria." He went on to praise the courage of the Syrian demonstrators and the SNC's role in "representing Syrian issues at an international level."
Spending > Goods and services expense > % of expense 3.82%
Ranked 85th.
7.24%
Ranked 76th. 90% more than Italy

Parties in the European Council during 2002 > Leaders > January 1 > 2002 > Leader Silvio Berlusconi Wim Kok
Procedures to enforce a contract > Number 40
Ranked 54th. 82% more than Netherlands
22
Ranked 147th.

Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voting age population per 1000 821.68
Ranked 7th. 9% more than Netherlands
756.56
Ranked 30th.
Parties in the European Council during 2006 > Leaders > January 1 > 2006 > Votes 29
Ranked 3rd. 2 times more than Netherlands
13
Ranked 6th.
Parties in the European Council during 2005 > Leaders > January 1 > 2005 > Leader Silvio Berlusconi Jan Peter Balkenende
Spending > Interest payments > % of expense 11.98%
Ranked 12th. 3 times more than Netherlands
4.44%
Ranked 46th.

Spending > Other expense > % of expense 5.21%
Ranked 51st. 60% more than Netherlands
3.25%
Ranked 67th.

Ruling party Democrat / NCD VVD /Coalition
Procedures to build a warehouse > Number per million 0.288
Ranked 146th.
1.1
Ranked 110th. 4 times more than Italy

National anthem > Note adopted 1946; the anthem, originally written in 1847, is also known as "L'Inno di Mameli" (Mameli's Hymn), and "Fratelli D'Italia" (Brothers of Italy) adopted 1932, in use since the 17th century, making it the oldest national anthem in the world; also known as "Wilhelmus van Nassouwe" (William of Nassau), it is in the form of an acrostic, where the first letter of each stanza spells the name of the leader of the Dutch Revolt
Red tape > Procedures to register property > Number per million 0.0821
Ranked 168th.
0.298
Ranked 123th. 4 times more than Italy

Parties in the European Council during 1999 > Leaders > January 1 > 1999 > European party <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>
Republic establishment date June 12, 1946 July 26, 1581
Spending > Goods and services expense > Current LCU 24.09 billion
Ranked 44th. 38% more than Netherlands
17.46 billion
Ranked 48th.

SOURCES: CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 28 March 2011; CIA World Factbooks 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013; Wikipedia: List of national legal systems (Civil law); World Bank, Doing Business project (http://www.doingbusiness.org/).; Wikipedia: List of countries by system of government (Alphabetical list of countries); All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008; World Development Indicators database; Wikipedia: Censorship by country (Censorship by country) ("Press Freedom Index 2013" , Reporters Without Borders, 30 January 2013); United Nations Statistics Division; "2012 Freedom of the Press Data" , Freedom House, 1 May 2012; Wikipedia: Bribe Payers Index; Wikipedia: List of active nationalist parties in Europe (National); Freedom House, Freedom in the World 2000-2001, New York: Freedom House, 2001; IPU (Inter-Parliamentary Union). 1995. Women in Parliaments 1945-1995: A World Statistical Survey. Geneva and IPU (Inter-Parliamentary Union). 2001. 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