Italy’s Audit Court ruled illegitimate a third clause regarding the Messina Strait bridge on Monday, extending a pause on the long-discussed project. The decision followed last month’s rejection of the first two clauses governing the agreement between the transport ministry and the contractor, Stretto di Messina SpA.
The government said it remains confident and expects to provide full answers once the court publishes its explanations in around one month. The ruling on the third clause of the Messina bridge plan has pushed back the timetable for work on what would be the world’s longest suspension bridge. Transport Minister Matteo Salvini confirmed that construction cannot begin before early next year.
After Monday’s decision, Salvini said, “No surprises: this is the inevitable consequence of the Court of Auditors’ initial stop. Our experts are already working to clarify all the points. I remain absolutely determined and confident.”
He had previously signalled the government would address the issues identified by the Audit Court in its 29 October ruling. The court has promised to release its reasoning within 30 days. Salvini reiterated the government’s calm approach. He said, “We await the findings of the Audit Court, which we are convinced we can respond to point by point, with extreme calm. I would have liked to start with the construction sites in November. Instead, we will now start in February.”
Initial block led to government accusing judiciary of ‘overstepping’
The government reacted strongly to the initial block. Premier Giorgia Meloni, Salvini and senior ministers accused the judiciary of overstepping its remit and interfering in political decisions. The 13.5-billion-euro project received CIPESS economic planning committee approval in August. Officials had expected the Audit Court to confirm that decision. Salvini has said the bridge could open in 2032 or 2033.
The plan includes a 3.3-kilometre suspension bridge, 40 kilometres of new road and rail links, three train stations and a business centre in Calabria.
Audit Court ruling focused on legal aspects of approval only
The premier’s office echoed Salvini’s confidence after a meeting attended by Meloni, Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, and Cabinet Secretary Alfredo Mantovano. A statement said: “It was agreed to wait for the publication of the reasons for the resolution adopted yesterday by the Audit Court. Only after examining its contents in detail, will the government proceed to respond punctually to each issue… The entire executive’s fully-agreed-on aim to proceed with the implementation of the project remains firm.”
The Audit Court insisted that its ruling focused strictly on legal aspects of the CIPESS approval. It stressed that the decision did not judge the project’s merits. It also appealed for respect for its role. “Respect for legitimacy is an essential prerequisite for the regularity of public spending, the protection of which is entrusted by the Constitution to the Audit Court.”
Meanwhile, hundreds of local appeals remain unresolved. Many come from residents whose homes face demolition to make way for the future bridge. On the Messina side alone, around 450 properties have been marked for expropriation.
