The Italian Constitutional Court has approved a referendum on the controversial law granting increased autonomy to regional governments, setting the stage for a national debate on the future of Italy’s federal structure. This referendum will ask voters to decide whether to fully repeal the law, which has sparked significant political and public contention due to concerns over regional inequality.
The proposed law, known as the “Differentiated Autonomy” law, was passed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government in June. It grants regions more control over their own tax revenues and key public services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Critics argue that the law could deepen regional disparities and strain national unity by fragmenting essential services.
While the law has already been partially rejected by the Constitutional Court in November, the Court’s approval of the referendum question marks a critical moment in the ongoing political battle. The final decision will come after a series of hearings, with the Court scheduled to meet in January to assess the implications further.
The opposition sees the court’s approval as a major victory, reflecting growing public dissatisfaction with the law’s potential impact. In a show of political strength, opposition groups collected over 500,000 signatures in just one month this summer, a remarkable feat that underscores the widespread concern surrounding the law.
Angelo Bonelli, deputy for the Alliance of Left-wing Green (AVS) and co-spokesperson for Europa Verde, described the court’s decision as a decisive step against a law that could exacerbate inequalities between regions and undermine the country’s unity.
“This law threatens to deepen the divide between Italy’s regions, especially in crucial sectors like healthcare, education, and infrastructure. These are not areas that should be fragmented,” said Bonelli. “Today’s decision is a significant move toward safeguarding the principles of equality and cohesion that define Italy as a unified nation.”
The law has been one of the most contentious pieces of legislation under Meloni’s government. It allows regional governments, particularly in wealthy areas like Lombardy and Veneto, to retain a larger portion of the tax revenues generated in their territories. Proponents argue that this would provide regions with the autonomy to better allocate resources and address local needs.
However, the European Commission has expressed concerns that the law could lead to greater inequality between richer and poorer regions, potentially undermining Italy’s national cohesion. Upon the law’s passage, the Commission stated that it posed risks to public finances and could harm the country’s social unity.
Elly Schlein, leader of the opposition Democratic Party, has been vocal in demanding the repeal of the law, urging the government to halt further negotiations and abandon the reform.
“Following the Constitutional Court’s ruling, which dismantled the autonomy bill, the government must stop, withdraw from negotiations, and repeal this law,” said Schlein. “This decision exposes the government’s blunder in presenting a reform that the Court has now dismantled.”
While opposition parties celebrated the court’s ruling, Senator Maurizio Gasparri of the ruling Forza Italia party dismissed the significance of the court’s decision. He downplayed the opposition’s claim of a victory, asserting that the approval of the referendum does not guarantee that it will ultimately take place.
“The Supreme Court’s decision does not mean that the referendum is a certainty,” Gasparri stated. “The next steps remain in the hands of the people and the political process.”
As Italy awaits the final decision from the Constitutional Court in January, the future of the Differentiated Autonomy law remains uncertain. If the referendum is allowed to proceed, it will undoubtedly become a key battleground for Italy’s political landscape, with both proponents and opponents of the law mobilizing support for their causes.
This referendum will likely have far-reaching implications for the balance of power between Italy’s regional governments and its central authority, with the potential to reshape the country’s governance structure for years to come.
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