ANCONA – The Democratic Party’s response to the statements of the President of the Marche Region, Francesco Acquaroli, who had defined the Marche Region among the best in Italy in terms of spending capacity and European resources allocated, was not long in coming.
«A distorted reading of reality: the official data tell another story – the thrust of the regional councilor Manuela Bora – and I regret to inform President Acquaroli that the official data in our possession contradict his declarations, according to which the Marche would be among the best Italian regions both in terms of spending capacity and allocation of community resources”. According to data from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, updated to 12/31/2023, the Marche region spent 0.00% of ERDF funds and 0.19% of ESF+ funds, placing itself in the last places among the Italian regions for budget. The same applies to the state of progress of commitments on the resources allocated by the European Community, with 4.87% for the ERDF and 6.02% for the ESF+. Much lower values compared to other regions such as Emilia Romagna (34.24% and 23.72%), Friuli Venezia Giulia (20.50% and 7.02%), Lombardy (15.32% and 13 .40%), Piedmont, Lazio, Puglia, the autonomous province of Trento and that of Bolzano. Abruzzo also shows better performance with an ERDF commitment level of 7.78%.
«Percentages very far from the declared 50% of activated resources – comments Bora – and further demonstrating the unfoundedness of Acquaroli’s declarations was the response received to our request to obtain a copy of the resource assignment decrees, to clarify the inconsistencies between the President’s declarations and the data published by the Ministry. From Palazzo Raffaello they informed us that, given the complexity of the request, they will be able to respond only after June 11th. A postponement, which smacks of strategy so as not to compromise the electoral results of next weekend. At this point – Bora insists – I ask the President on the basis of which information he released his statement and I challenge him to send us the requested documentation before the European elections. His silence will confirm our suspicions; otherwise we will be happy to celebrate this Marche record.”
