«The opposition understands that it has lost the elections. On autonomy, ok to proposals and corrections, but no to veto rights»- Corriere.it

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Autonomy and presidentialism full speed ahead. I am the staunchest supporter of both reforms». Roberto Calderoli is preparing for another important week: on Tuesday the Technical-Scientific Committee on performance levels (CLEP) chaired by Sabino Cassese takes office. The Minister for Autonomies is usually optimistic and does not give the feeling of advancing against the wind.

Calderoli, however the oppositions do not seem well disposed towards the regional autonomy. Both Elly Schlein and Giuseppe Conte reiterated it on Sunday as well.
«The left and Conte should acknowledge that they have lost the elections. However, unlike what happened in the past – in which they did everything without involving the opposition – this time someone is asking for their involvement in reforms that affect the life of the country and citizens. If their role is only to be exercised as a right of veto, they don’t have it. I suggest them to make proposals and corrections. If they have matured mourning, fine. If not, we’ll talk about it again in 5 years.”

Was Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni right to invite the opposition in view of the elections?
“Certain. After Minister Casellati’s first round of opinions with all the political forces, I think it is completely normal for the Prime Minister to confront a topic of such importance. Among other things, the path could be different depending on the answers».

Are you alluding to the possible establishment of a bicameral Commission?
«If there were a real willingness of the opposition to discuss reforms, presidentialism, it is a possibility that I myself would embrace. But given the experiences of the past, I’m not so optimistic: none has ever produced results. In the light of the answers that will be given by the opposition, it will be possible to decide whether there is a space or not ».

What if there isn’t?
«Article 138 of the Constitution: Parliament approves the amendments to the Constitution with two resolutions by absolute majority».

You spoke of presidentialism. Aren’t semi-presidentialism and the premiership also on the table?
«I believe that proposing the three possibilities to the opposition is absolutely correct. I speak of presidentialism because it is the form on which I agree more».

Let’s go back to the autonomy of the Regions. Schlein speaks of forcing him.
«Look, Schlein was the vice president of a region, Emilia-Romagna, which asked for autonomy not only by signing the pre-agreement on 5 matters with Gentiloni. But he also made another proposal, Conte premier, in which he asked for 16. It’s the inconsistencies… Do you think that the director of the antagonism to autonomy, a truly prepared person like Professor Villone, when the left changed the title V of the Constitution declared that there was no risk either for national unity or for the South. Today it collects signatures against autonomy».

Minister, however, it is not only the oppositions. Even the centre-right governors are, to say the least, very cautious…
«I am absolutely convinced that Occhiuto and Schifani will continue to accept this challenge. And I am also convinced of this because in the first part of the year, the South began to grow, even more than central Italy. I think everyone will soon realize what formidable leverage they have in their hands. Occhiuto, Schifani, Bardi know it. But I also think of De Luca. And certainly Giani, even if for now he has had to say no: I think he’s one of those who believe in it the most. As for Bonaccini, I justify it: his institutional and growth path crossed a congress. In he party of him won him. Because Schlein is the secretary of a nebula, voted by the 5 Stars and also by the opponents of the Democratic Party. What the color harmony of this nebula is, it is difficult to say».

But don’t you have the feeling that even on the right there are those who play at slowing down the path to autonomy? There is already talk of 50 hearings in the Senate committee.
“It’s something I would have done too if I hadn’t been the minister. To date, the process has been completed: the law is passed in Parliament, the hearings begin, after which the general discussion begins, the amendment phase. I absolutely don’t want to compress times, I want there to be the widest possible discussion, my goal is to achieve the best final result. When it should be verified that the parliamentary tools are aimed only at obstructionism, we will be forced to go our own way. But that’s absolutely not what I want. Tell me where the text is wrong, if any, and where to correct it.”

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