Consider sending back autonomy law -M5S appeal to Mattarella

(ANSA) - ROME, JUN 20 - The Senate and Lower House whips of the opposition 5-Star Movement (M5S) said Thursday that they had written to President Sergio Mattarella asking him to consider using his Constitutional prerogatives to send the government's law introducing 'differentiated autonomy' back to parliament for fresh deliberation before promulgating it.
    Whips Francesco Silvestri and Stefano Patuanelli said the government had used an ordinary law, rather than a Constitutional law, to "undermine the constitutional order" with the so-called 'Split Italy' legislation.
    The controversial measure, which won final approval on the Lower House on Wednesday, will enable regions to request more power over how the tax revenues collected in their areas are spent.
    Opposition parties say it will worsen Italy's north-south divide as it will favour wealthier regions in the north.
    The M5S, the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) and the other opposition groups have said they are going to collect signatures to hold a referendum on abolishing the law.
    Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Thursday that the reform "goes in the right direction" and dismissed charges that it 'splits Italy'.
    He said it had raised "legitimate concerns in the south of the country" but added that these would be dispelled with legislation implementing the reform that would protect the south. (ANSA).