The semestre bianco is an Italian legislative term referring to the last six months of the President of Italy's seven-year term of office. According to Article 88 of the Italian Constitution, the President cannot dissolve the Italian Parliament and call a new election during the last six months of their term. The prohibition was initially absolute. However, a constitutional amendment was passed in November 1991 creating an exception in cases where the normal five-year term of the parliament ends during the last six months of the President's term. The 1991 amendment came about when Francesco Cossiga's term as president was due to expire on 3 July 1992, only one day after the natural expiration of the 10th Italian Legislature, thus leaving no one constitutionally empowered to call the next election.