«Do I divide the country for De Luca? Yet he asked the same things about autonomy »-Corriere.it

“I don’t know if the speaker these days is the president of Campania Vincenzo De Luca, Maurizio Crozza who is De Luca, or a third De Luca yet…”. Roberto Calderoli turns some sheets in his hands. The Minister for Autonomies laughs under his mustache: «he knows what they are».

Obviously not. Tell me she…

«It is the proposal of understanding signed in 2019 by the governor of Campania De Luca. It is, in practice, the Campania Region that is asking for those autonomies that today, according to I don’t know which of the De Lucas, would divide the country ».

Wasn’t it already known that at the time Campania was also among the regions that had requested certain skills?

“Perhaps. But it is reading the proposal today that makes Crozza think. Let me premise: for me De Luca is a nice and incredibly smart person. I also believe that he was a great mayor of Salerno. But, as governor of Campania, the cunning side emerges too much ».

“I do not know. I know that today De Luca is attacking me head-on, trying to build a southern front against autonomy and claims that I am trying to divide the country because I want to implement the Constitution. Wrong position but in itself legitimate. However, read here… De Luca is not the only one. His proposal refers to two pro-autonomy pronouncements of the Campania Regional Council. Not one: two. In which they literally said they were “willing to face the challenge”. However, many have changed their minds.

«This agreement was addressed by the then Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. Another who has suddenly changed his mind today: but autonomy was already in the Conte government contract in 2018. Here we are no longer characters in search of an author, but in search of an identity ».

What did President De Luca’s proposal ask for?

«With some distinctions, the most crucial skills. Those that today are almost shouting the attack on the Constitution. Healthcare, for example. Education. And then the environmental impact assessments, the minor landscape authorizations and various others up to the regional network of museums and cultural heritage».

What many say is that the essential levels of performance (Lep) must be defined before transferring responsibilities to the Regions…

«Yes, De Luca’s proposal is interesting on that too. Does he know what he says he? That the State should define the Lep within a year of approval. But, in the meantime, the transfer of functions has already taken place. In the meantime, the transfers would be based on “expenditure intended for a permanent, fixed and recurring nature”. In essence, historical spending. Today they say it can never, ever be used. Not even from the northern regions has such a bold proposal come. I anticipate De Luca that we will bring a moderate version compared to his so extreme».

The fact remains that now you will have to make the Leps. Given that they were foreseen in the constitutional reform of 2001, it seems a difficult job.

“We will. I can announce that a control room will be set up with the Prime Minister’s delegate, Calderoli, the Economy Minister Giorgetti, Casellati Reforms, Fitto cohesion and the competent ministers for each matter. And I tell De Luca that the equalization fund that he calls for will exist. As well as costs and standard needs».

Why do you think some governors have changed their minds?

«Today they believe the role of champions of the South is better. But the South, when it is adequately informed, will send the Masaniellos to hell and will look after their own interests. Which are everyone’s.”