Editing Charles Albert of Sardinia (section)

=== Albertine Statute ===
{{main|Statuto Albertino}}
[[File:Statuto Albertino Avviso.jpg|upright|thumb|left|Edict of 8 February 1848 which informed the public of the concession of the Statute and outlined its contents in 14 articles]]
[[File:Carlo Alberto firma lo Statuto.jpg|thumb|Charles Albert signs the Statute on 8 March 1848]]
[[File:Festeggiamenti Statuto Albertino.jpg|thumb|Celebrations in the Piazza San Carlo in Turin at the proclamation of the Albertine Statute in a contemporary print]]
On 7 January 1848, at the hotel ''Europa'' in Turin, there was a meeting of the city's journalists at which Cavour, director of the ''Risorgimento'', proposed to request a constitution from the king. The majority of the ministers were also in favour of the concession of a constitution, and of ensuring that one was not imposed by the people. Charles Albert was not sure what to do, unwilling to make the wrong decision and considered abdicating as Victor Emmanuel I had in similar circumstances. He sent for his son to prepare him for the succession, but his son managed to convince him to retain his position.<ref>{{harvnb|Bertoldi|pp=204–206}}</ref>

On 7 February, an extraordinary Council of State was convented. Seven ministers, the holders of the [[Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation|order of the Annunciation]], and other high dignitaries were present. All of them spoke and the discussion went on for many hours. Charles Albert, pale, listened in silence. De La Tour, {{ill|Carlo Giuseppe Beraudo di Pralormo|it}}, and {{ill|Luigi Provana di Collegno|it}} were opposed to the constitution. During the lunch break, Charles Albert received a delegation from the capital, which asked for the constitution for the good of the people and in order to safeguard order.<ref>{{harvnb|Bertoldi|pp=206–207}}</ref>

It was now necessary to make a decision and, at last, Giacinto Borelli, Minister of the Interior, was appointed to draft the Constitution immediately. The document was approved and was named the "Statute." Charles Albert had stated that he would not approve the document if it did not clearly state the pre-eminent position of the Catholic religion and the honour of the monarchy. Since he had received these things, he approved it. The meeting was dissolved at dawn.<ref>{{harvnb|Bertoldi|p=208}}</ref>

Around 3:30 in the afternoon on 8 February, a royal edict was published in the streets of Turin, which laid out the 14 articles which formed the basis of the Statute for a system of representative government. By 6:00 pm, the city was entirely lit up and massive demonstrations in favour of Charles Albert were held.<ref>{{harvnb|Comandini, II|p=1374}}</ref>

The edict specified that the Catholic faith was the sole state religion, and that executive power belonged to the king, as did command of the armed forces. Legislative power was vested in two chambers, one of which would be elected. The free press and individual liberty were guaranteed. The full version of the Statute, with all its articles, was finally agreed on 4 March 1848 and approved the same day by Charles Albert. The announcement of the Statute was met with great enthusiasm throughout Piedmont. The first constitutional government, presided over by [[Cesare Balbo]], was sworn in on 16 March 1848, two days before the beginning of the [[Five Days of Milan]].<ref>{{harvnb|Bertoldi|pp=208–210}}</ref>