What is the path to Autonomy? The stages after the go-ahead from the government – Corriere.it

According to the government, the differentiated autonomy system should be operational in about a year. Is this a reasonable forecast?

In principle, yes, according to Ernesto Bettinelli, professor emeritus of constitutional law at the University of Pavia, who today teaches constitutional history at the same university. The one approved in advance by the Council of Ministers is not a constitutional bill, which would have longer approval times, with double reading and the possibility of a referendum. Even if now, after the go-ahead two days ago, the opinion of the Joint Conference is needed and then a new passage in the Council of Ministers. It is true that by now Parliament receives above all decree laws, which have a preferential lane given the need to be converted within 60 days. But there are times. Especially considering the large margin that, at this moment, the majority has in Parliament.
Agreements will be necessary with the individual regions that choose to expand their competences. Could this be an obstacle that slows down the process?

It is the right path to follow, based on article 116 of the Constitution. The Region presents a request, an agreement is reached with the government and finally a vote from Parliament is needed. A procedure to be repeated for each Region that decides to have more autonomy. By quantifying the part of the national tax that the individual regions must withhold pro rata to deal with the additional skills. A complex but doable process. It is inescapable anyway.
First, however, the Lep, the essential levels of performance, will have to be defined, to establish a minimum base of services throughout the country, subject by subject. Is this step also compatible with the goal of concluding the process within a year?

A joint commission between the State and the Regions will take care of it, with the support of a control room, made up of experts in the various subjects. The process is complex, also because it will still be necessary to take into account a country with marked and historical differences in many sectors. But putting the essential levels of performance on paper is still a possible operation. What appears much more complex, if anything, is the subsequent respect of the Lep.
Why would subsequent compliance with the Leps be difficult?

There are regions that don’t even need the Lep, because their level of services is high. And others who would risk leaving and remaining below the minimum threshold. Without additional resources it is difficult for regions in difficulty to recover ground.
The text speaks of expenditure invariance. Does that mean that the additional resources won’t be there?

It’s not for sure. Those are the total resources, the pie as a whole. The real point is how the slices will be cut and distributed. In principle, there can be a redistribution of resources even with expenditure unchanged. When Germany faced the problem of reunification, it posed the same problem and decided to transfer huge resources from West to East.