San Marino: the uniqueness of its two heads of State

San Marino, the tiny republic nestled in the heart of Italy, is a unique case in the global political landscape. With just over 30,000 inhabitants spread across its 61 square kilometers, this small country stands out for being the only nation that has two heads of state, known as "captains regent," who share the highest office in the country and its responsibilities. This political peculiarity, dating back to at least the year 1243, is part of the rich history and traditions of San Marino, the world's oldest republic. The election of two heads of state in San Marino dates back to the Roman Republic, inspired by the figure of the consuls who mutually controlled power. According to Professor Valentina Rossi, an expert in History at the University of San Marino, this government structure was crucial in small communities to prevent the excessive concentration of power. In a country where familiarity among citizens is common, the rotation of captains regent every six months ensures balance and prevents the accumulation of authority in one person. Throughout the centuries, San Marino has maintained this duality in the country's highest authority, renewing its captains regent every semester. Although some may question the brevity of this mandate, which may seem insufficient to implement significant changes, for the people of San Marino, this tradition is part of their identity and cultural heritage. The Parliament of San Marino, the "Consiglio Grande e Generale," is responsible for electing the captains regent, who represent the majority parties in the legislature. Until 1945, the captains regent were chosen by drawing lots, ensuring a more diverse representation in the country's highest authority. However, with the reform of that year, the election became by vote, limiting the selection of captains regent to the majority parties. This modification also redefined the functions of the captains regent, granting them a more symbolic and external representation role, while executive power remained in the hands of the secretaries of State. The presence of women in the position of captain regent is a more recent milestone in the history of San Marino. Although passive suffrage was established in 1964, women could not be elected as captains regent until 1974. The first female captain regent was elected in 1981, marking an important step towards gender equality in Sammarinese politics. However, to date, there have never been two female captains regent at the same time, a goal that Sammarinese society aspires to achieve in future renewals. Internationally, the captains regent of San Marino represent the country in organizations such as the UN, although they sometimes face logistical challenges due to having only one seat in international meetings. This duality in San Marino's external representation reflects the uniqueness of its political system and the projection of its identity as an independent and long-standing nation. With its millennia-old history and peculiar political traditions, San Marino continues to be an example of resilience and adaptability in a constantly changing world.