The bill onDifferentiated autonomywhose parliamentary process is continuing in the Chamber as a referent, is subject of comparisons and debates which are taking place at a rapid pace throughout southern Italy. And more and more often transversally. As in the case of the conference “Lights and Shadows of differentiated autonomy” that in recent days thenon-partisan association Andesnational association of women electricians, organized in Lamezia Terme and which saw the discussion, at times heated, of exponents of the academic world such as the professor Annarita Trottafull professor of Financial Economics at the Magna Grecia University of Catanzaro, Alessandro Mazzitelliprofessor of public law at Unical, as well as Aldo Ferrarapresident of Unindustria Calabria.
The opportunity was provided by the book whose title already evokes a cut in the resources and development possibilities of a Southern Italy, destined to never close the accounts with the always open question, the southern one precisely: “34% – The history of a law for the South. The southern question in Brussels” by Rossella Cerra and Roberto Longo. The conference was introduced by president Ande Lamezia Mariannina Scaramuzzinomoderated by the vice president Silvia Gulisanor in the presence of the national president Marisa Fagàlong-standing Catanzaro politician.
Very few lights and many shadows emerged from the comparison, as he highlighted Aldo Ferrara which, in particular, brought out many doubts on the Lep issue, the so-called essential levels of performance that the law should identify and guarantee. «We’re trying to get this right – said Ferrara – with the self-criticism that is needed and that we all must do», referring to the lack of development of the Southern regions which today could be penalized if the Differentiated Autonomy were to pass. Moreover, the issue of spending community resources created to support the needs of the most disadvantaged regions such as Calabria is now also affecting northern Italy. This is the case, for example, of the 2021/2027 cohesion policy funds, 9% of which will concern the more developed regions of the North for the first time.
How will differentiated autonomy be developed? Will there be equalization for example on the infrastructure front? Rossella Cerra explained the meaning of the 34% clause of law 18/2017 which provides for the distribution of state funds in the capital account, proportionally to the number of inhabitants of the South and not on the basis of the real social needs of the most disadvantaged regions. «With differentiated autonomy – said Cerra – the situation, as highlighted by the latest Svimez report, is destined to get worse». For Roberto Longo who shared the drafting of this text with Cerra «we must start from 1860 with Garibaldi to the expedition of the Thousand, from the definitive expolitions of the riches of the South. With the Republic – he added – we continued with the disparities already with the Marshall plan which did not recognize the bombings even on the cities of the South”. Professor Trotta explained that on the issue of differentiated autonomy there would also have been, during the hearing in the Chamber, doubts from the Bank of Italy «in particular on the problematic profiles, on economic efficiency, on the social rights that “cost” more. It is an obscure and unconstitutional text that raises the problem of a new financial humanism.” Rights and social justice would therefore be at great risk in an already fragile economic context where new forms of poverty do not seem to be on the agenda of any government. While it appears clear that if no action is taken in this sense, the economies of the Member States, starting with Italy, are increasingly at risk. And this is simply based on the discussion of purchasing power, of the demand curve linked to wages now stuck at several years ago. Prof. also focused on Leps Alessandro Mazzitelli which however started with the examination of article 116 of the Constitution, paragraph 3 and highlights a paradox: «We have a super centralized Government that wants widespread autonomies. We note – he added – profiles of unconstitutionality because the law is normally approved by the Chambers with an absolute majority on the basis of a prior agreement between the State and the Region concerned. Now, however, they are directly making a law of general principle when it was not necessary.” And beyond the jurisprudential technicalities Mazzitelli also has placed the issue of social rights at risk. Finally, greetings and conclusions from Marisa Fagà: «Too many silences – underlined President Ande – on such an important issue that is passing over our heads without awareness and without protest. We must activate active citizenship and take our responsibilities. We from Ande are political worker ants with an ethical and cultural soul to awaken everyone’s consciences.”
