Bologna – How much does the differentiated autonomy of the Regions cost? An 'investigation' on this could be opened in the Senate in Rome, parallel to the series of hearings started in recent days in the Institutional Affairs Committee, also in Palazzo Madama.
The request (finding openings in Fi and Fdi) was made yesterday, in the Budget Committee, by the 5 Star senator Maria Domenica Castellone, "an investigative survey on the financial aspects of differentiated autonomy, with particular reference to the guarantee of essential levels of performance", citing the "significant critical issues in terms of guaranteeing essential services, as also emerged from the analysis contained in the dossier of the Budget Service" of Palazzo Madama.
And also in light of what is emerging from the hearings in the Constitutional Affairs Committee. Without neglecting "the observations recently made by the European Commission, which have reiterated certain risk profiles inherent in this project to redefine the framework of autonomies, especially in relation to the possibility for the Regions to retain their own tax revenue, with potential negative consequences for the State's finances". In short, a parliamentary investigation is not enough: let's also do one in the Budget Committee.
The hypothesis remains 'suspended' for now. Nicola Calandrini (Fdi), president of the Senate Budget Committee, postponed the decision until the outcome of a discussion in the Bureau, recalling "how every fact-finding investigation, pursuant to the Regulations, is subject to the authorization of the President of the Senate". Calandrini also recalled the path in the Institutional Affairs Committee. But, in short, we'll see. And for now the 'Budget', at the end of the debate on the point, has taken note. It is true that there is a push for a second investigation.
Claudio Borghi (Lega) expressed his opposition to Castellone's request because the matter is a matter for the Constitutional Affairs Committee and "the risk of overlapping with the examination of the merits, which has already begun, must be avoided".
However, Democrat Daniele Manca held firm by supporting the M5S proposal, recalling that the bicameral commissions for regional affairs and fiscal federalism have not yet been established, "a problematic element since it entails the lack of the venues to date for a complete examination of all the aspects involved in the reform project".
Therefore a financial analysis must be done in the Budget Committee. And here Lavinia Mennuni (Fdi) intervened, saying that the 'Budget' is "a useful place to carry out an investigation and any further investigation on the delicate issue of the financial effects of differentiated autonomy".
Tino Magni (Avs) approved the surplus of in-depth analysis while Claudio Lotito (Fi) highlighted how "the assignment of the bill to the Constitutional Affairs Committee alone does not allow, on the merits, a complete investigation of the effects on public accounts", therefore "an adequate evaluation of the financial profiles would be useful in general, beyond political decisions". At which point Calandrini, after hearing everyone, decided to move the issue to a specific Bureau.
Article published on May 26, 2023 - 18:12 pm
