Since 13 October 2022, the role has been held by Ignazio La Russa.

The President of the Senate represents the Senate to external bodies, regulates debates in the Senate chamber by applying its regulations and the rules of the Italian Constitution, and regulates all the activities of its components in order to ensure that it functions correctly.

If the President of the Republic is unable to perform their role as head of state, then the President of the Senate takes on the role, under article 86 of the Italian Constitution.

In case this does not result in election of a candidate after two rounds of voting, then the President can be elected by a simple majority of the voting members (i.e. excluding abstentions).

Until the election is complete, the presidency is held by the oldest Senator.