Politics · Italy · 6 hrs ago
Italian Parliament has a long record of sparse attendance during key debates
Italy’s lower house was nearly empty during the economic plan presentation on 13 October 2026.
The scene echoed earlier episodes of low attendance in both houses of Parliament.
Past debates with sparse attendance included discussions on vaccines, the death of Giulio Regeni, earthquake measures and the European Stability Mechanism.
In June 2023, fewer than 20 deputies were present for the vote on the European Stability Mechanism, prompting opposition parties to ask for the session to be suspended.
Low attendance was also recorded during a Senate debate on a bill against violence against women, which was later approved unanimously and became law.
The examples highlight repeated gaps in attendance during important debates, but no further action is described.
Italian parliamentary debates have repeatedly taken place with few lawmakers in the chamber, including discussions on major public issues.
A photograph showed a partly empty Chamber of Deputies on 13 October 2026 during the presentation of the budget plan by Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti.
Past examples include debates on vaccines, the death of Giulio Regeni, earthquake measures, violence against women, prisons and the European Stability Mechanism.
Attendance was reported as fewer than 20 deputies during a June 2023 debate on ratifying the European Stability Mechanism.
In some cases, low attendance prompted public criticism or calls by opposition parties to suspend proceedings.
- Who
- Members of Italy’s Chamber of Deputies and Senate.
- What
- The story recounts repeated instances of sparse attendance during parliamentary debates.
- When
- On 13 October 2026 and on various dates between 2015 and 2024.
- Where
- The Italian Parliament, including the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate in Rome.
- Why
- Not stated as a general reason; one low-attendance sitting was attributed largely to being held on a Friday morning, when many lawmakers return to their constituencies.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni reported to the Chamber of Deputies on the death of aid worker Giovanni Lo Porto while the chamber was almost empty.
Health Minister Beatrice Lorenzin lamented low attendance in the Senate during debate on the vaccine decree.
Reports said only 15 to 19 deputies were present during debates on reducing the number of lawmakers and establishing an inquiry into Giulio Regeni’s death.
Fewer than 20 deputies were present during debate on ratifying the European Stability Mechanism, prompting opposition calls to suspend proceedings.
Senator Filippo Sensi posted a photo of an empty Senate chamber during a question on prison overcrowding.
The Chamber of Deputies was partly empty during the presentation of the budget plan by Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti.
- Chamber of Deputies
- Partly empty on 13 October 2026
- June 2023 debate
- Fewer than 20 deputies attended
- April 2019 debates
- 15 to 19 deputies reported in the chamber
- 1 December 2023 sitting
- About 30 of 400 deputies were present
- 22 November 2022 Senate debate
- The bill on violence against women was later approved unanimously
- 3 October 2024 Senate question
- On prison overcrowding
What people are saying
It was disheartening. I was struck by the contradiction between that empty chamber and the full prisons.
In all, there were about a dozen of us.