Calabria governor calls for autonomy 'moratorium'

(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 25 - Calabria Governor Roberto Occhiuto on Thursday called for a moratorium on the application of the law recently approved by Premier Giorgia Meloni's centre-right government introducing 'differentiated autonomy' for Italy's regions.
    The controversial measure approved by parliament last month will enable regions to request more power over how the tax revenues collected in their areas are spent.
    Opposition parties say differentiated autonomy will worsen Italy's north-south divide, by favouring wealthier regions in the north, and have launched a campaign for a referendum on abolishing the law.
    ""I don't have any 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 added, stressing he does not agree with opposition assertions that it will 'split Italy'.
    "There are matters, such as those not subject to LEPs (essential levels of service), regarding which agreements (between regions and central government) might be made immediately.
    "However, more reflection is needed on these issues to understand whether there could be negative repercussions for the southern regions". (ANSA).