(1) Temporary.—A Parlamento summoned, who appointed 20 Accopiatori (Governo de’ Venti). These filled up magistracies for the year and prepared a Squittino for the future.
(2) Permanent.—Constitution formed in imitation of Venice. Consiglio del Popolo and del Commune and Parlamento abolished.
A. Consiglio Generale, or Maggiore, formed of all eligible ‘benefiziati’ citizens (all those of age of 29 whose father, grandfather, or great-grandfather had been veduto or seduto for one of three greater offices, about 3000). But if the number of the ‘benefiziati’ exceeded 1500, they were to be ‘sterzati,’ i.e. divided into 3, and ⅓ of the whole number were to form the Consiglio for 6 months. A small number of citizens, above age of 24 and otherwise qualified, were admitted, and each year 60 eligible but neither veduto nor seduto might be elected if they received two-thirds of votes.
B. Consiglio degli Ottanta, a Senate elected out of and by Consiglio Generale for six months, must be 40 years of age.
B. The Senate was to advise The Signory (which remained as before), and elect ambassadors and commissioners to army.
The Consiglio Generale was
(1) To elect to magistracies by a complicated system of voting and selection by lot. Cf. Guicciardini, Storia Fiorentina, iii. 125.
(Subsequently the system of direct appointment by lot was again introduced. Cf. Guicciardini, iii. 155, 203, 235.)
(2) To hear criminal appeals from the Signory and Otto di Balía.