Italy: “On the diversified autonomy, the Government is ready”

The Minister for Regional Affairs sent the draft of the Framework Law on the future management of the Emilia, Lombardy and Veneto regions to Parliament on 10 September

The Italian Minister for Regional Affairs and Autonomies, Francesco Boccia, in an interview with the national newspaper “Il Sole 24 Ore” said that on differentiated autonomy “the Government is ready. On September 10 I sent to the heads of delegations of the majority of the last draft of the Framework Law, which will arrive shortly in the Council of Ministers. A premise, however … “.

Italy, the legitimate implementation of differentiated autonomy

He adds: “We must build on the work carried out in recent months on the pandemic. Despite the tension due to the seriousness of the situation, regional presidents, mayors, experts and the government have always collaborated. We must continue to do so”.

Italy, because differentiated autonomy “is” the Constitution

”The draft is the result of the comparison started with the Regions and with the commission of experts appointed by me a year ago, just arrived at the Government in which there are personalities of different orientation, just to find a synthesis. I would say that we are at a good point”.

To guarantee to all the Essential Levels of Performance

“We have decided to immediately implement administrative decentralization, but subtracting the subjects for which the so-called LEPs or Essential Levels of Performance will have to be identified first,” continued Francesco Boccia.

“This is because we want to ensure throughout the country, even to those who live in the most disadvantaged areas of the South, but also in the North and Central Italy, schools, canteens, local transport and health services adequate. And this decision will be up to Parliament. But we know that, according to some estimates, bridging this gap between the ‘rich’ and the ‘poor’ would require between 70 and 100 billion euros”.

In the Recovery Fund’s evaluation criteria, we have included LEPs among the priority indicators. It is a unique opportunity that will allow us to close a gap that represents one of the main brakes on growth. Failure to take advantage of it would be extremely serious. And on the ESM, “once the framework is in place, it will be up to Parliament to assess it”.

Preliminary agreement between the Government and the Emilia-Romagna Region (in Italian)
Preliminary agreement between the Government and the Lombardy Region (in Italian)
Preliminary agreement between the Government and the Veneto Region (in Italian)