Prefetto

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In modern Italy the prefetto (English: prefect) is the official representative of the central state in the provincial and other local authorities, who are responsible to their local electorates. The prefect, whose office is known as the prefettura, is answerable to the Minister of the Interior and has specific powers to act when public order or public safety are threatened.

Prefetti have a polito-administrative responsibly in respect of public safety; the technical-organizational functions in this field are the job of the questori (English: quaestors).

The office was created in 1861 under the government of Bettino Ricasoli. In the early years the job entailed a more vigorous and continuous application of central state authority in imposing proper regulation also in the fields of education, public works, sanitary provision and the nomination of mayors and provincial deputies.