The framework of the institutions that we can call government is completed with the organization of local administrations, considered from the two points of view of the government administration and that of the self-sufficient territorial bodies. It is true that these are institutions which are part of the administrative organization, but which have a very important political content, since the general interests of the state in the administrative organization are pursued not only at the center of state life, but throughout the territory. The state is divided into territorial districts, provinces and municipalities. In the provinces, the highest body representing the government is the prefect, who reports directly to the Minister of the Interior ensures unity of political direction in the performance of the various services pertaining to the state and local authorities, and coordinates the action of all public offices, administrative, corporate, financial, etc. The law of 3 April 1926, n. 660, for the extension of the powers of the prefects, had fundamental importance, implementing the organic principle of the ethical and political unity of the state, even in the provinces, in accordance with the state order of fascism. However, the political coordination entrusted to the prefects does not imply invasion of the individual spheres of technical competence by the various representatives of the other state administrations in the province. Alongside the prefect and chaired by him, are, as consultative or control bodies, the prefecture council, the provincial health council, the provincial administrative council and the provincial council of corporate economy, established, to replace the old chambers of commerce, by law no. 731, and better coordinated with the corporative order of the state by law 18 June 1931, n. 875. It, composed mainly of trade union representatives, is the single body which in the province represents, harmonizes and coordinates the economic interests and social forces aimed at increasing the corporate economy, welfare activity and social progress, and which at the same time carries out consultancy work in matters relating to the public economy and work.
The podestà, as government official, is also a state organ in the local administration within the municipality. As for the administration of self-sufficient territorial entities, municipalities and provinces, in the political order in force in Italy, it is based on the same principles that govern the state system: abolition of the electorate and centralization of powers in the hands of the nominated royal authority who are above the passions and interests of part. This concept is at the basis of the reform of the municipal and provincial regulations. The reform (see municipality; Consulta; podestà; for the governorate of Rome, see Rome), implemented with the law of February 4, 1926, n. 237, and with the decree-laws of 9 May 1926, n. 818, and 3 September 1926, n. 1910, also aimed to combat the difficult conditions in which especially small municipalities find themselves, also for their inability to give themselves suitable administrators. The reform of the provincial administration, carried out with the law of 27 December 1928, n. 2962, has substituted for the provincial deputation and its president, all arising from election, a dean and a rectorate all nominated by the king (see dean; province; rectorate).
The political order in force in Italy, the result of an evolution of constitutional institutions accelerated by war and new development, with the advent of fascism in power, political and social relations, can be summarized as follows: Italy is a state representative monarchist, with a form of constitutional government having its own characteristics, that is, a fascist government, with a bicameral parliament, but with the chamber of deputies which draws its origins mainly from corporate organizations. The nation is conceived as a bloc having moral, political and economic unity, which is fully realized in the fascist state; therefore the state authority has been powerfully strengthened: the executive power or, better, the government has a pre-eminent function and is, with the collaboration of the Grand Council of Fascism.
