Calabria Governor Roberto Occhiuto called for a pause in implementing the newly approved law on ‘differentiated autonomy’ for Italy’s regions yesterday.
The differentiated autonomy law, introduced by Premier Giorgia Meloni’s centre-right government and passed by parliament last month, allows regions to gain more control over their tax revenues.
Critics, including opposition parties, argue this law will deepen the economic disparity between Italy’s wealthier northern regions and its poorer southern ones. They have initiated a campaign to hold a referendum to abolish the law.
“I have no prejudices about differentiated autonomy,” Occhiuto, a member of Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani’s centre-right Forza Italia (FI), told SkyTg24.
“It was improved thanks to FI, but the law should have been more thoroughly examined.” He emphasised he does not share the opposition’s view the law will ‘split Italy.’
“There are issues, such as those not subject to LEPs (essential levels of service), where agreements between regions and the central government could be made immediately,” Occhiuto said. “However, more reflection is needed on these issues to understand whether there could be negative repercussions for the southern regions.”
