Autonomy Reform Becomes Law, But 'Nobody' Seems to Want It

Italy's ambitious plan for "differentiated autonomy," intended to grant regions more administrative powers, has become a shadow of its former self. Nine years after a referendum where Veneto sought control over 23 key areas, including ports, airports, and schools, the reform now barely secures minor powers like regional professional licensing. Even these require central government validation.

The initial push for autonomy, championed by figures like Luca Zaia, envisioned a virtuous cycle where efficient regional governance would generate savings from state transfers. However, the reform's path has been fraught with institutional battles. Early hopes were dashed in 2018 when the Gentiloni government signed preliminary agreements that ultimately failed to materialize.

Subsequent governments, including the "yellow-red" coalition and the Draghi administration, saw the reform stall. The national leadership of the Lega party, despite its own rise, proved to be an obstacle rather than an enabler. Central ministries, described by constitutionalists as the reform's true adversaries, consistently blocked the transfer of significant competencies.

Even healthcare, a potentially significant area for regional control, remains uncertain. The protracted legislative process, detailed in Zaia's own account, highlights a "institutional war" where the "Moloch of ministerial apparatuses" has effectively thwarted the devolution of power, leaving the reform's future in doubt.

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Twenty-three matters, not one less