ROME -- Leaders from both left and right-wing parties have joined together in opposition to the debate on differentiated autonomy. Following the general debate, which ended on Monday in Montecitorio, it is not yet known when the Lega’s flagship reforms will return to the courtroom for a vote on its amendments. In addition to protests and demonstrations, the debate has also prompted a letter of appeal sent to 400 deputies. The letter, which calls for a stop to the Lega ‘federalism’, was signed by Mario Landolfi, leader of the Finiana right-wing, constitutionalist Amedeo Laboccetta, former Diessino MP Massimo Villone and Eugenio Mazzarella, former Dem deputy. 

  Landolfi, one of the signatories explained, “Gioria Meloni says no. No to a Harlequin Republic. The state is a non-negotiable value for the right. Almirante himself would be turning in his grave.” 

  The letter aims to initially decelerate the process, which was originally caused by disputes within the Constitutional Affairs Committee. “It is not acceptable that we vote before 8 and 9 June, before the European elections, in order to do a favour for the Northern League supporters.” explained the promotors of the appeal, “From the senate to the house, the version is the same, beyond the number of words, there have been no changes.” 

 “The objective of Minister Roberto Calderoli, the “father” of the measure that Matteo Salvini wants to wave in the run-up to the European elections, is to amour the differentiated autonomy in the House so that it does not have to return for further reading in Palazzo Madama.”

  Afterwards, negotiations can immediately commence between the State and the regions intending to request the authority to manage their own resources.

  “This is where the greatest risk for the unity of the Republic lies. In the dominant negotiations from the Minister for Autonomy, whose role is to debate with the regional executives. Parliament is substantially marginalised, and is also excluded from the management of the agreements following their conclusion and approval by law, which is entrusted to joint State-Region commissions, in which the role of the Minister of Autonomies is still dominant.” 

 “With differentiated autonomy, it prefigures an Italy comprised of juxtaposing statelets. A Harlequin-Country, in which powers, functions, and resources transferred to the periphery are taken away from national institutions, reducing their ability to interpret and represent the country’s needs, to legislate and govern, to formulate and implement strategic national policies.” 

lw