Italy’s Supreme Cassation Court has approved a referendum to completely repeal the government’s controversial ‘differentiated autonomy’ law. The recently introduced law allows regions to request greater control over the tax revenues collected within their territories.
The court’s central office confirmed the legitimacy of seeking a total abrogation of the law, as reported by La Repubblica. The decision follows a ruling by the Constitutional Court last month, which found parts of the legislation to be “illegitimate.”
The Cassation Court reviewed two potential referendum questions. While the proposal to entirely abolish the law was accepted, a second question regarding partial repeal was rejected. The court’s 30-page ruling now places the matter back in the hands of the Constitutional Court, which will decide in January whether the referendum can proceed.
Ivana Veronese, Deputy President of the National Committee Against Differentiated Autonomy and a leader of the UIL labour union, expressed satisfaction with the Cassation’s decision. “We are pleased. This is an unfair law, and the confirmation that the referendum can take place is a significant step. Now we await the Constitutional Court’s final ruling on its admissibility,” Veronese told ANSA.
Widespread criticism of differentiated autonomy
The differentiated autonomy law has drawn widespread criticism, with opposition parties arguing it threatens national unity and deepens the economic divide between northern and southern regions. Several regional governments have also challenged the law, raising constitutional concerns.
Last month, the Constitutional Court dismissed claims the entire law was unconstitutional but declared specific provisions illegitimate. One contentious issue was the delegation of minimum service levels (LEPs) updates to a decree issued by the Prime Minister. Another was the optional, rather than mandatory, contribution of devolved regions to public finance goals, potentially undermining national solidarity and unity.
The court has tasked parliament with addressing these issues. Meanwhile, opposition groups have gathered sufficient signatures to push forward with the referendum, aiming to overturn a law they see as a threat to Italy’s cohesion.
