Abstract
The age-old issue of the so-called “transfughismo” has sometimes particularly incisive consequences on the dynamics of democracy as well as on opposition-majority relations. “Transfughismo” is the defecting of parliamentarians, once elected in a certain parliamentary group, who then switch to another parliamentary group, usually in support of the Government. The impact of this so-called “change of uniform” undoubtedly concerns aspects of political nature, nevertheless the origin of the problem is purely constitutional. Most of the Charters, both in Europe and outside its borders, provide for the prohibition of the imperative mandate: they consider the parliamentarian to represent the entire nation. The comparative debate is leading constitutionalists and institutions to reflect on the reintroduction of the imperative mandate, that is the obligation of the deputy or senator to strictly comply with the indications of the Party or parliamentary group, under penalty of forfeiture of the positions they hold in the Parliament, including the role of parliamentarian tout court. The elected, with the introduction of the imperative mandate (as is already provided for in some Constitutions, i.e., the Portuguese one), does not represent the nation but the party that nominated him. This paper examines numerous European, American and Asian constitutions, scrutinizing their similarities and differences, thus reflecting on which path could be most consistent with the most recent law amendments, the material constitution’s change and the voters’ actual expectations. Particular attention will be given to the institutions of the Popular recall, the Abberufungsrecht, the Amtsenthebungsrecht and the Impeachment.
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