Italian mayors unite against differentiated autonomy reform

A coalition of over 130 local administrators in Italy's Puglia region, spearheaded by Bari Mayor Vito Leccese, has launched a strong protest against the proposed differentiated autonomy reform. They argue the legislation, which aims to grant greater self-governance to regions, is fundamentally incompatible with the Italian Constitution and poses a significant threat to national unity and equal rights.

The administrators have formally petitioned the government and Parliament to halt the reform's legislative process. Their core concern is that the reform is proceeding without first establishing and adequately financing the "essential levels of services" (LEP) and the equalization fund mandated by the Constitution. They fear this will exacerbate existing territorial disparities, disproportionately affecting the southern regions of Italy, often referred to as the Mezzogiorno.

In a joint document, the mayors, assessors, and councilors emphasized that a person's place of birth or residence should not dictate their access to essential services such as healthcare, education, social welfare, civil protection, infrastructure, and employment. They warned that differentiated autonomy could create divisions, pitting regions against one another rather than fostering a cohesive national community.

The signatories, including mayors from Taranto, Foggia, and Andria, represent a broad spectrum of political affiliations, from center-left parties to progressive civic movements. This institutional front is further bolstered by trade unions, with the CGIL Puglia secretary-general calling for a coordinated mobilization against what she described as a "subtle design by the government" to push through differentiated autonomy despite constitutional concerns.

The administrators are demanding a complete pause in the reform process. They insist that a comprehensive constitutional, financial, administrative, and social reassessment must be completed before any further steps are taken. This collective stance highlights deep-seated anxieties about the potential fragmentation of Italy and the erosion of equal rights across its diverse territories.

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È in gioco la tenuta della nostra Repubblica come comunità di diritti uguali, ovunque si viva