The return of elective provinces in Fvg is approaching

WATCH THE VIDEO SERVICE . A decisive step according to the majority, a step backwards according to the opposition. With the green light from the Senate Constitutional Affairs Committee, the law that reintroduces elective provinces in Friuli Venezia Giulia is ready to arrive in the chamber of Palazzo Madama and then make a new passage to the Chamber and Senate, expected by the summer. Satisfaction was expressed by President Massimiliano Fedriga: «A concrete step is being taken towards a more balanced and participatory institutional structure, based on a key principle of democracy: the direct representation of citizens». The councilor with responsibility for Local Authorities, Pierpaolo Roberti, confirms that «we are preparing the documents necessary for the establishment of the new body, the transfer of the initial competences, the definition of the electoral law and a modern governance model, capable of responding to current and future challenges».

The group leader of the Lega in the Regional Council Antonio Calligaris recalls how the reintroduction of the provinces is one of the cornerstones of the Carroccio «Services can be more efficient if they are managed by an entity closer to the people and by figures that citizens elect directly».

Concepts shared with the regional coordinator of Forza Italia and undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Sandra Savino, who adds «If the provincial body will be able to be more effective, efficient and timely in the provision of services, this reform will have a positive impact on the community».

Criticism, however, comes from the opposition, with the regional secretary of the Democratic Party, Caterina Conti, denouncing: «The contradictions of this backwards reform are increasingly evident, from questions of constitutional legitimacy to the merit of the functions and resources with which these new first-level bodies should operate». Conti also recalls that the centre-right had also voted for the suppression of the Provinces. The Democratic group leader in the Regional Council, Diego Moretti, adds: «After having immobilised the system of local bodies, not addressing one of the problems and difficulties of the Municipalities (particularly the smaller ones) and indeed worsening them, now the right thinks it can offer a false solution with the return of intermediate bodies».