Italy's controversial new
'differentiated autonomy' law poses risks for cohesion and
finances, the European Commission says in economic
recommendations which have been published by la Repubblica daily
and also seen by ANSA.
The law, which enables regions to keep much of their tax take
for their own spending,. has been accused of worsening the north
south gap but Premier Giorgia Meloni says is will make Italy
stronger and more democratic.
In its recommendations, the EU executive says: "the devolution
of further competences to the Italian regions entails risks for
the country's cohesion and public finances, but also on the
front of inequalities between regions".
The EC working document on Italy was drafted in the context of
the recommendations on economic, social, employment, structural
and budgetary policies.
The leftwing opposition is collecting signatures to put the law
to a referendum saying it unduly changes the Constitution and
aggravates existing imbalances, especially between affluent
northern regions and worse-off southern ones, in key areas like
healthcare.
When it was approved after an all-night session in the House
Wednesday morning, government parties waved the flags of Italy's
20 regions while the centre left opposition waved the Italian
flag.
It was passed by 172 votes to 99.
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