Bonaccini: “This autonomy reform is wrong and divisive”

Stefano Bonaccini, the governor of Emilia Romagna and president of the Democratic Party, initially a promoter of differentiated autonomy together with Veneto and Lombardy, launches vitriolic attacks against this reform already voted on in parliament; and during an interview with la Repubblica, he declared: “The right finds itself split internally in the face of a law, signed by Roberto Calderoli, wrong and divisive, and now he is grasping at straws. It is enough to read the documents to understand that compared to our project these are two diametrically opposed proposals.”

“The request from Emilia-Romagna, shared with all the social partners and without ever a vote against in the regional council, concerned only some of the 23 potentially foreseen subjects, especially limited and specific functions within these. The aim was to simplify and reduce bureaucracy, to provide effective and rapid responses to citizens and businesses”.

“Here, however, the split between national education and the basic principles of the right to health is being prepared“.

“In many subjects we even think of proceeding without any equalization criteria and without having established the essential performance levels (Lep). We were aiming for the efficiency of services, but here we are preparing to divide the destinies of the areas of the country, as if Italy were not already deeply divided. Before proceeding, we had asked that the Lep be established and guaranteed throughout the national territory and that the involvement of Parliament be ensured. The law passed does exactly the opposite. This is why we say no and we will oppose it.” “If time allowed – adds Bonaccini – I would ask the Emilia-Romagna regional council to activate the referendum with four other Regions, as required by the Constitution. But in a few days, after my election to the European Parliament, we will enter the phase of weakening of powers provided for by law, so the timescales are very tight. We are evaluating”.

“I am sure that the entire Democratic Party will mobilize and you will see that, as always, a very strong contribution will come from Emilia-Romagna to protect the Constitution and the unity of the country. In the DNA of my land there is the value of autonomy and good local government, but first there is belonging to the national community in the spirit of the Constitution”.